How does US TV work?

takethehighroad
takethehighroad Posts: 6,638
edited October 2012 in The bottom bracket
I'm asking with vague reference to the NFL coverage.

Here in the UK we have BBC ITV C4 etc, and then we have Freeview, and if you want to watch the majority of sports live you need Sky Sports.

How does it work in the US? Is there free-to-view TV at all? Will the NFL be on these free-to-view channels?

I know in the NFL that in the area around a home game, the game won't be on TV e.g. people in Liverpool wouldn't be able to watch the match at Anfield yday if a similar system was in effect here.

I'm just intrigued more than anything because I heard someone talk about the popularity of the NFL growing because of the accessibility of TV

Comments

  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Yes, there is free to view TV but as all TV in the US is dire it doesn't really matter much.

    I was once watching the one decent programme I ever recall seeing in the US - a UK prog on the Goodwood Revival of all things. My mate went to the toilet for not very long and in the time he was out of the room he missed two sets of adverts :lol:

    No idea about things like NFL.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,443
    When I've stayed in the US during the "football" season I was able to watch matches on TV. However, it's been a while. I think both NBC and CBS (plus maybe Fox) have NFL coverage though and they are free to air.
  • Akirasho
    Akirasho Posts: 1,892
    ... currently, there are over the air digital broadcasts across the US and the major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS) all have a presence...

    Also, most networks have some relationship/ownership of cable/satellite properties (either specific shows or networks) which sometimes filter back to over the air (hit cable shows may filter back to over the air after a year or two... sometimes less)...

    Sports is a huge draw for over the air (free) but it also saps resources. Even with the advent of multiple free digital channels, the airwaves get filled with same ole (on the weekends, you can get hours upon hours of American football (both college and Pro) along with oodles and oodles of golf (try finding cycling even on cable). Sometimes, it's frustrating because you only have a choice of a variation on a theme (this football game or that football game... this golf tourney or that).

    Also, part deux, depending on ticket sales, locals may still get free broadcasts... this weekend, the Cincinnati Bengals game was also broadcast over local stations.

    I don't have cable or satellite because if I did, I'd spend all day watching Honey Boo Boo...

    honey-boo-boo.jpg?w=262
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,638
    Thanks for this, it's answered the questions I had. I like it, it seems to work, as far as I can see.

    Cheers lids
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    It's the ceaseless adverts I can’t stand. Programmes interrupted every ten minutes with a fake climax and a “word from our sponsor”. Subjects like “Do you think you might have cardiovascular problems? Before you consult your physician, try Acme Snake Oil”. :roll:

    I exaggerate, but not by much.
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • finchy
    finchy Posts: 6,686
    ^^^^^^^^^^^

    (Whingey voice)

    "Did you know that 1 in 4 American families are at risk of scaly eyeballs? Protect your family by buying anti-scaling milk and applying it even if you don't have scaly eyeballs. Because if you don't, you don't love them."

    (Relentlessly cheerful voice, speaking too quickly for the human ear to pick up)

    "Scaly eyeballs may not actually exist. Consult your physician, 'cos we've paid him to tell you what we want to hear."
  • AchillesLeftKnee
    AchillesLeftKnee Posts: 713
    ..and consult your doctor if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.
    Mangeur
  • neiltb
    neiltb Posts: 332
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    ..and consult your doctor if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.

    sage advice surely!
    FCN 12
  • LJ.
    LJ. Posts: 149
    You can fit a lot of adverts in American Sports games so it makes sense to put them on the most popular channels to make the most money, the same cannot be said for Football which has one stop in the action at halftime
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,315
    I don't give a monkeys, I just wanted the top 6 posts before MattC69 spotted the move....
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    neiltb wrote:
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    ..and consult your doctor if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.

    sage advice surely!

    Wishful thinking, definitely.
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,315
    Where can I get ACME snake oil from ?
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    pinarello001 wrote:
    Where can I get ACME snake oil from ?

    Him. :D

    Wile-E-Coyote-Tenacious.jpg
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • Redhog14
    Redhog14 Posts: 1,377
    I've had a scaly erection for 3½hrs now should i leave work early to go to docs?
    @surroundedbh
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,315
    Redhog14 wrote:
    I've had a scaly erection for 3½hrs now should i leave work early to go to docs?

    Strapping it to a Bic biro with gaffer tape doesn't count.

    Use ACME snake oil, Peddle up recommends it and knows where to get it from. :wink:
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,443
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    ..and consult your doctor if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.

    Is this not normal then?
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,315
    Pross wrote:
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    ..and consult your doctor if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.

    Is this not normal then?

    Look pross, you have whats called Priapism. Not normal - the best thing to do to dampen the thing down is shut the door on it a few times :D
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,443
    pinarello001 wrote:
    Pross wrote:
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    ..and consult your doctor if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.

    Is this not normal then?

    Look pross, you have whats called Priapism. Not normal - the best thing to do to dampen the thing down is shut the door on it a few times :D

    Ah, that's OK then - someone else suggested I would have to look at naked pictures of Ann Widecombe.
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Redhog14 wrote:
    I've had a scaly erection for 3½hrs now should i leave work early to go to docs?

    No. Buy a new clock that works. :)
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,315
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Redhog14 wrote:
    I've had a scaly erection for 3½hrs now should i leave work early to go to docs?

    No. Buy a new clock that works. :)

    :D:D:D

    ...and maybe go to a clock shop too !
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    pinarello001 wrote:
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Redhog14 wrote:
    I've had a scaly erection for 3½hrs now should i leave work early to go to docs?

    No. Buy a new clock that works. :)

    :D:D:D

    ...and maybe go to a clock shop too !


    I really must get my eyes checked. :D
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,315
    Cleat Eastwood wrote:
    pinarello001 wrote:
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Redhog14 wrote:
    I've had a scaly erection for 3½hrs now should i leave work early to go to docs?

    No. Buy a new clock that works. :)

    :D:D:D

    ...and maybe go to a clock shop too !


    I really must get my eyes checked. :D
    Ding !

    I am off on Holiday for a few days. Anything you want me to bring back? I have a spare 8K (Lire) and I am thinking of buying hookers, viagra and cocaine...
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!

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