Baelyn Batory

You finally arrive home after a long day at school. Your spirits couldn’t be lower after failing a math test, so you collapse onto the couch. Friday is just one day away, yet you feel so drained that it seems impossible to start your homework. Then, you remember football is on later tonight. With a sudden burst of energy, you push yourself to finish most of your homework before the game. With kickoff being moments away, you rush to turn on the TV only to discover the game is being broadcasted on Prime Video, an exclusive streaming service you don’t have. Frustrating moments like these highlight why the NFL’s use of streaming services creates unnecessary problems.

As one of the most lucrative professional sports leagues in the world, the NFL has demonstrated its greed through decisions that prioritize financial gain over the viewing experience. While the NFL already has cable deals with networks like FOX, CBS and ESPN, it has begun to show games such as Thursday Night Football and playoff games on paid platforms like Prime Video and Peacock. This creates barriers for fans who had once enjoyed the games on cable TV channels with easy access and creates issues with the watching experience. 

The transition from cable to streaming services reduces accessibility and simplicity, preventing fans from watching their favorite teams because of exclusive platform paywalls. When games are locked behind certain services, this excludes a large chunk of their audience, whether limited by cost, technology or geography. As someone who does not have Peacock, I have been prevented from watching a handful of games. The NFL thrives on community and tradition, and restricting access undermines that shared experience. Fans don’t deserve to have something they care about taken away, especially if they once had access to it. 

Affordability is another key issue. With games being spread across different streaming services, fans are paying for multiple subscription services just to stay updated on their favorite teams. These services also come with a hefty price tag. Prime Video subscription costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. A Peacock Premium subscription costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year. The steep pricing of these subscriptions — that can be difficult to afford — causes many fans to miss out on these games.

Despite these pitfalls, individual streaming services have the freedom to offer unique watching experiences. With Thursday Night Football, Prime Video uses artificial intelligence to provide viewers with advanced, real-time insights during the game. Features like defensive coverage recognition and “Prime Targets,” which identify key players, allow the audience to become engaged with the game. Streaming services have the freedom to implement features that can complement the watching experience, expanding the NFL’s reach without leaving longtime fans behind.

Ultimately, I believe the most effective way to fix this issue is to televise all games on cable. This eliminates the hassle of managing multiple streaming services, allowing fans access to any game they want to watch. Showing games on cable effectively makes matches more accessible and affordable, ensuring that loyal fans will not miss the action. This approach will not only improve the viewing experience, but it will also make it so that any fan can
enjoy the game.