The NFL schedule release is often hyped up, but in reality, it is not a significant event in the world of sports. Fans have known their team’s opponents since January, and the specific game dates and times do not warrant the extensive coverage they receive. The league’s decision to schedule games on non-traditional days like Christmas Day, and the move to stream them on platforms like Netflix, shows a shift towards making it harder and more expensive for fans to watch games.
The NFL’s strategy seems to be to spread games across various streaming services and broadcast networks to maximize revenue. This trend is not unique to the NFL, as other sports leagues are also moving towards complicated viewing habits by spreading games across multiple platforms. This approach may alienate some fans who are not willing to navigate the complexity of accessing games through different services.
As a response to this trend, some fans may choose to stick to traditional cable bundles for easy access to live sports. However, the increasing shift towards exclusive streaming deals may drive fans away and lead to decreased viewership. The push towards streaming services for sports content may eventually reach a tipping point where fans become frustrated with the added costs and complexity, leading to a decline in viewership.
