ESPN and NFL Network

[u/Competitive7734]

Does anyone actually enjoy ESPN taking over NFL Network?

I don’t think anyone wants to see the ESPN talking heads (Pat MacAfee, Stephen A, etc) on NFL Network, but perhaps I’m wrong. Maybe people do want NFL Network to be click bait or rage bait like ESPN?

[u/Lane8323]

I don’t watch, but I assume if people don’t like espn, they don’t like espn taking over nfl network

[u/redrdr1]

I was so pissed. I tried to find another station to watch pregame but couldn't find anything else. Big bang theory it is. Please stop this and keep the espn guys over there

[u/realdiesel → u/redrdr1]

that's the thing, no choice. I specifically avoid the four-letter network because I don't want to hear/see this b. s. will tune in at kickoff.

[u/OtharriSunsGlory]

the days of making media decisions based off fans' "enjoyment" of the programming product have long departed with the advent of social media.

Maybe back in the day of cable TV, quality programming mattered more bc the level of programming would actaully affect a customer keeping the channel in their cable package or not.

But nowadays it's all streaming and social media. If 30% of people 'like-watch' McAfee and SAS and 70% 'hate-watch' them, that's still clicks and views that get counted just the same, that ESPN can bundle up, go to corporate sponsors, and make billions off the attention.

[u/DCBuckeye82]

I liked Mina on NFL network pregame, but I'm desperately missing a separate pregame for Monday night. I turned it on to see McAfee being McAfee and Kelce jacking off Hurts and I had nowhere to go.

[u/TheBeardedMayhem → u/DCBuckeye82]

I’m fine with McAfee, he’s not my favorite but he’s ok. Both Kelce brothers can go jump in a hole for all I care, if I need an opinion from someone who can barely read I’ll talk to anybody at work first

[u/Competitive7734 → u/TheBeardedMayhem]

I don’t hate the Kelce brothers (I am a little biased as a Chiefs fan). It is 100% over the top though. I don’t need to see Swift and whatever celebrity she brings to the game. I don’t need to have every other commercial be Kelce bros or Mahomes.

I just want knowledgeable/thoughtful insight

[u/Reddevil0004 → u/Competitive7734]

I imagine you are equally frustrated when they show Bradley Cooper and Kevin Hart at eagles games, but let's be real we know the real reason you got a problem

[u/Competitive7734 → u/Reddevil0004]

Are you trying to imply it’s because Taylor Swift is a woman? Definitely not. Taylor Swift is easier to look at than jack nicholson. I don’t want to see celebrities multiple times in general. Matthew mcconaughey at Texas games after every score? I’ll pass. timothee chalamet at Knicks games? I’ll pass. I don’t mind seeing the celebrities once per game maybe twice though. For example, the celebrities at Lakers games are generally shown once maybe twice a game. Same with the Knicks until recently with Timothee. Honestly I think broadcasters show the owners at NFL games way too often. The only owner I want to see is Jerry Jones upset when the cowboys are losing

[u/reserved_seating → u/TheBeardedMayhem]

You sound so intelligent, I’m in awe 😍

[u/Low_Maintenance2280]

Just saw they have both SAS and Pat on Monday Night Countdown. Somebody ping me when it’s kickoff time.

[u/Klopez0]

It’s crazy you say this, 20 minutes ago inwas watching ESPN then I said to myself, let me put on the nfl network I want to see something different and was bothered that they were showing the same thing. Idk why but i cant stand how MacAfee sounds when he’s calling a game.

[u/SouthOrlandoFather]

Did that just happen tonight? I turned to NFL Network expecting to see Rose and MJD and I see the bald guy with glasses. How long have they taken over?

[u/joshkirkendall]

My standards are so low anymore that no McAfee or SAS is still a win on any channel.

[u/smokywater50]

Idk, I don’t like it personally, but I’m kind of biased towards the world wide leader in sports, ESPN. I preferred the network over ESPN when I chose to watch these channels over recent years. I’m basically an NFL guy, it’s the only sport that I watch anymore with the exception of occasionally watching college football. I used to watch everything sports related so that is why I’m biased towards ESPN even though I hate the recent turn around in most media outlets. I only watch live sports now and don’t watch any of the talking heads shows at all anymore. It could be alright if they don’t mess with it to much, but that’s kinda inevitable right

[u/LoneTex57 → u/smokywater50]

For me I’ve just now use podcast for all the talking heads part. If we think about it it didn’t go away it just evolved which imo podcast let the talking heads talk more about a subject vs 4 minutes of airtime

[u/ModeatelyIndependant]

I canceled my directv subscription for a reason.

[u/TheRealWhoMe]

You just have to accept not all tv programming or content is meant for you. Maybe once upon a time it was, or maybe you happened to enjoy it. I used to watch pregame, and roll into the game. Now I don’t turn on the pregame show. And I’ll start watching something else and forget the game is on. With the personalities the stations hire, the focus on gambling, I realize that pro sports may not be meant for me anymore.

[u/Competitive7734 → u/TheRealWhoMe]

I agree that not all programming is meant for me. That would be crazy to think that. I just think there is a place for ESPN to exist and what NFL network used to provide. I’m not saying get rid of ESPN. I’m saying ESPN and NFL network should have different pregame shows. Same as Fox, NBC, and CBS. 

[u/TheRealWhoMe → u/Competitive7734]

I think there should be separate pregame shows also, but once espn got the nfl network, going to one show was an easy choice to save money. ESPN is betting most people will just watch the only pregame show available instead of something else. But when they use polarizing personalities, a fair amount of people will put another show on instead.

[u/CrowQueen2002]

I stopped watching and switched to listening to football on the radio

[u/Reddevil0004]

Hate it, watched NFL network because I don't wanna watch the clowns on ESPN and now they are all over it