DIRECTV Airlifts NFL Network To Game-Deprived Fans in Florida

[Jeigh]

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1086631&highlight=


DIRECTV Starship To Promote NFL Network Games Via World's Largest Aerial Digital Screen To Consumers Who Have Been Shut Out by Their Local Cable Company

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2007--Providing millions of Americans with superior digital television service isn't the only way that DIRECTV is using the sky to bring unparalleled programming to consumers. Over the next two weeks, its newly launched blimp - the DIRECTV Starship - will fly over Tampa, St. Petersburg and Orlando, Fla., showing NFL Network game telecasts and promoting DIRECTV's superior high-definition service to cable customers, who do not receive NFL Network due to a shut out by their local cable provider, Bright House Networks...

Ha ha! Now that's a smart move right there!

[pete4192]

That's awesome. One of the coolest marketing ploys I've ever heard of.

[sr6376]

That's awesome. One of the coolest marketing ploys I've ever heard of.

Sure, until you start reading reports of a massive car pile-up due to dopey drivers watching the game instead of the road! :D

[jefbal99]

Sure, until you start reading reports of a massive car pile-up due to dopey drivers watching the game instead of the road! :D

Thats their own moronic fault, awesome marketing ploy

[dodge boy]

Now if they would do that and broadcast the Led Zepplin concert..... (AWESOME)

[dodge boy]

deleted due to duplicate post

[n3ntj]

Great marketing idea.. they should do the same over NFL games each week.

[ClubSteeler]

That's awesome..

I have BHN, and it's been great. One of the rare cable companies that is pretty good. I've had awesome customer service, better PQ that DirecTV, every analog channel is also simulcast in digital, better HD picture (MPeg2 vs Mpeg2). And I;ve never had a single second of lost recordings on the DVR, or a lip synch issue, etc.. Cost is cheaper than DirecTV with 3 TVs.

really, I've been very impressed.... until lately...

Now Directv has gotten really agressive. Ton of HD channels, agressive marketing. I like it.

BHN just announced the gradual roll-out of over 50 new HD channels. Better late than never. They're running fiber into the neighborhoods and using switched digital into the homes fo huge amounts of bandwidth.

I'm giving BHN another year or so to see what happens. For the first time in probably 10 years, it looks like DirecTV is pulling ahead. So if BHN doesn't get Big10 and NFL Net to me soon, plus come through on their HD plans, I may switch. (Assuming the pixelization and lip synch and DVR issues are worked out by then). Plus I want to wait and see how this new HD sat holds up during the rainy summer in Florida.

It's really a win-win. As directv does, everyone else follows. BHN has been pretty good, although some of what I read about some of your local cable campanies is just horrid...

[techstar25]

I just switched from BHN (Orlando) to DirecTV (first time subscriber), and I couldn't be happier. NFLN was just one of the reasons for switching (also for FSN and the Magic games), but now after about a week, I realize there are about 100 reasons why I'll never go back to cable.

[dshu82]

Very rare lip sync issues for me, no pixelation to speak of.

ClubSteeler: where are you watching the Steelers each week? I have found that NFLST, even with Superfan, etc. costs me less than going to the bar for all those Sundays.

[dshu82]

And with the Big Ten network and all the game coverage, I was able to cancel the ESPN Gameplan this year to see Penn State every week between that and ESPN / ABC.

[vlhgsd]

Saw the blimp 2 days ago, didn't know why it was flying around. Cool.

[ClubSteeler]

Very rare lip sync issues for me, no pixelation to speak of.

ClubSteeler: where are you watching the Steelers each week? I have found that NFLST, even with Superfan, etc. costs me less than going to the bar for all those Sundays.

When I canceled DirecTV many years ago, I kept NFTST, and I get autorenewed every year. So every sunday I get the DirecTV receiver out of the closet and watch the Steelers.

I was upset that I couldn't get Penn State on GamePlan this year because of Big10 Network. I wish BHN carried it. However, I understand why the don't, and I don't blame them. How can this brand new network have the gull to force a cable company to offer it on the lowest tier? What history or ratings do they have to be so bold? Also, BHN is moving analog channels up to digital becasue for every one they move, they can add 3 HD channels, and Big10 and NFL wants them to add more analog channels.

You'd think that a brand new network would want as many viewers as possible, but they'd rather lock-out millions from their channel based on greed.

[Lee L]

Well, hopefully they have the express written consent of the NFL Commisioner. ;)