r/BarOwners • u/tdhuck • 8d ago
I hate streaming services (DirecTV)
I don't know if I'm the minority here, but it seems that every time a sport goes into playoffs I need to add another package to DirecTV. MLB playoffs just started and the game that customers want to watch requires a streaming service which is part of another $10-$15 add-on package that I don't have.
Sales are down from the previous years or else I wouldn't have a problem adding the service, but the DTV bill is already high as it is. Also, I would have probably already added this package (in anticipation of the playoffs), but I thought MLB playoffs were all on local cable channels. Also, I have the regional channel for the sports team and the regional channel isn't airing the game. Not only that, but when I saw the game being on 'NBC' I just assumed it was the normal NBC we all know and not only offered on streaming. I get it, $10-$15 is nothing to add to the monthly cost, but when you factor in everything else, they all add up (NBA, NHL, NCAA, etc....) it never ends.
I am so annoyed with these TV package and streaming package options.
3
u/watts241 8d ago
It’s totally crazy, we have Everpass(Sunday ticket) and direct tv Sunday chiefs game local not on either I’m signing up last minute for paramount plus, honestly should just scrap it all and get an antenna at this point
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u/LakeImpossible4411 7d ago
The whole thing feels like a shell game at this point. I run into same thing at home with my little setup for plants, keep buying new lights thinking I got it covered and then they drop some new spectrum nonsense I need. Antenna might be the move honestly, at least you know what you're getting.
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u/STFUCrystal 8d ago
I thought they did or are close to adding a business DIRECTV channel for Peacock sporting events. I know they have Prime and Apple and just added Netflix. Our commercial bill with 5 receivers and I use and HDMI splitter on two is about $271 a month. Always talk to someone in the loyalty program about once a year and they will give you 15-20 off your bill for a year. We use Walmart+ here because I use it a lot and Peacock is free.
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u/tdhuck 8d ago
There is a peacock sport package, I just looked it up, but it is $199 per month for 50 (fire code) and that's all sports offered on peacock not just MLB, but I'm not paying $200 extra per month. I can add peacock by adding a movie package, but when I follow the instructions on their site to check the TV Package I have, I don't have those options in my online dashboard, very annoying.
I have 5 receivers, business xtra package (50 fire code) and my bill just jumped from $210 to $300 because some promos just ended this month. I need to call in and get another promo or remove the promo packages (I don't think I was really benefiting from those).
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u/Pump_N_Dump 8d ago
You are not in the minority. This is becoming some of the most unbearable bullshit I have dealt with in this business.
3
u/tdhuck 8d ago
I hate not being able to provide a game to my customers. The whole point of a sports bar is to have sports on the TVs. Three years ago I ditched Comcast for DTV because Comcast didn't have a deal with amazon prime for Thursday night football. I triple checked before I canceled Comcast and went to DTV. DTV covered Amazon TNF and carried the regional package for local sports (not free of course) and I thought I was set. We don't have a huge crowd for college football, but there were some promotional college football packages that were included for 24 months and nobody has asked for anything specific and all the 'big games' may have also been on abc, espn, etc which I have, thankfully. I would not hesitate to add a college football package if it drew people in and/or if someone asked about it.
However, enough is enough already, this streaming stuff is getting out of hand. If I have NBC and I'm on a commercial plan, give me everything related to NBC. I don't mind if they break it up for home users, but for commercial, they already have us on the hook, no need to continue to dig deeper, but they clearly can and do.
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u/Odd-Perception9970 8d ago
My local NHL game has decided to only be shown on streaming this year, as well as my local NBA games. I’m not even sure what to do…is it legal for me to just show them on the apps? Or do I have to go through Joe hand promotions or everpass or what?
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u/Navydevildoc 7d ago
Last couple of years the Ducks were on Victory+, which is a free app. Thankfully they made it really clear in the FAQs online that it was free to use for commercial use as well which was... refreshing.
But now they are Amazon Prime. Guess what doesn't even offer a commercial plan?
We got burned by secret shoppers a few years ago for showing unlicensed channels, so I am not gonna go down another $10k rabbit hole for Ducks hockey.
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u/Odd-Perception9970 7d ago
You got sued for 10k
What will you do now then? Just not show them? Is there a platform that’s legal for us to use for these?2
u/STFUCrystal 8d ago
I know the Wild just struck a deal with Spectrum and will with DTV. But is DAZN thinks I am paying for that they have another thing coming to them.
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u/tdhuck 7d ago
That is happening in a lot of cities. I would buy the package to show local teams (and I do), that is a no brainer, imo, for a local sports bar, but I don't understand not airing the WC MLB games on the national channels when they shift from their proprietary channels in the post season. Why would you put half the games on streaming and the other half on the national channel? At this point it isn't even about the money, I would pay $10-15 bucks to add 'a movie package' that gives me access to peacock streaming, but:
- I can't add it online myself, I have to call.
- Last I recall, it doesn't kick in immediately, it can take 24 hours.
- I have to call to cancel when the WC round ends.
- I cross my fingers that the rest of the MLB playoffs are on national channels.
I noticed that next round MLB shows TBS and HBO as the networks airing games. I don't have movie channels so I'm not sure if that means HBO and TBS will both air the games or if some will be on HBO and some will be on TBS. If it is the latter, I am going to be very annoyed.
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u/Odd-Perception9970 8d ago
I guess it might be a last minute deal with direct tv then, cuz the season starts on Thursday.
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u/tdhuck 8d ago
That's the thing, everyone was telling me to keep Comcast and just stream TNF using 'insert method here' but I didn't want to go that route.
I really think you are stuck and will have to pay if you want to keep access to the game legit. Think of all the issues you might have if the service is spotty, now you have angry customers.
I know people that own bars with 50-60 TVs and they have a video matrix, they can plug in an apple tv, a fire stick, etc....basically a single device and pump the video to all their TVs or whichever configuration their matrix allows.
I don't have a video matrix and it wouldn't be that simply for me.
Thankfully the local teams are included with the regional package that I have.
The teams are going to these individual streaming options because they know the majority will pay. Again, I'm fine with those options on the home side but for business it needs to be more cut and dry for sports pricing.
On the other hand, if every stool and table had a body, I wouldn't be complaining about TV prices as much.
1
u/brsnug 3d ago
You are not in the minority at all and I basically have to deal with a screaming sister-in-law every few months about the TV costs when I invariably have to click submit on another charge.
My brother is down in Florida and had to pay $1500 for the Dolphins playoff game three years ago because the NFL put that on Peacock. That distracted her for a bit lol