CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – What’s bigger? The number of teams now in the Big 10 Conference, OR the number of subscriptions I need to purchase and download just to watch the teams/sports I love? Continuing an already annoying trend, the Big 10 basketball season is underway, and to watch the team you root for, you better have access to the Big Ten Network, Big Ten +, ESPN, ESPN+, FOX, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports +, CBS, and Peacock. I’m pretty sure there are some I’ve missed too.
This issue isn’t relegated just to the college sports world; it’s been annoying for years in the professional ranks. Just ask a Cubs fan who’s been forced to switch cable, satellite, and streaming providers while chasing down the availability of the Marquee Network–only to be rewarded with some “mid” (see my September column) product on the field. Now, Bally Sports and FOX are not televising specific teams or are in some dispute. And, if you weren’t ahead of the game and subscribed to NFL Sunday Ticket’s offer to sign up and pay for yet another streaming service, YouTube TV, to get a discounted price of $500 down from $750 for Sunday Ticket, you really missed out—eye roll.
This is all obviously about money. When streaming services started, it was supposed to be a more accessible, cheaper way for customers to watch the sports, shows, and movies they wanted. But, as soon as it became evident that streaming was the future and that there was crazy money to be made, the customer ceased to be the focus of the effort, if they ever were. I understand it’s a business, and money needs to be made to provide the technology and support to allow customers to access the viewing they desire. Still, I’m pretty sure these entities could find a way to make money while meeting customers’ needs. It used to be the foundation on which good business was built. But, these days, there seems to be no limit to the amount of money that satisfies corporations, franchises, and entities, and that, in the end, leaves customers in the dust. They are so busy fighting over the money streaming supremacy offers that what they offer us is just more headaches.
As annoyed as I am, I certainly am not free from blame because, despite my proclamations that “I’m not paying for another service…”, I am now subscribed to at least four services to watch my favorite sports teams. I’m obviously not alone. How many subscriptions do you have dedicated to watching your favorite teams? Whatever the number, it seems we are stuck in the stream and all its tributaries together. As sports fans, we are all in for competition. Still, when the competition for viewers only leaves us with inconvenience, larger bills, and limited access, the paying customers certainly don’t seem to be winning.