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Do you remember where you were when NBC and the NFL made history by forcing people to pay an extra fee to watch a Wild Card Game on Peacock?
You might want to write it down somewhere, maybe have a plaque made, to commemorate the historic occasion.
At least that’s how NBC repeatedly tried to make it seem on Saturday, on into Sunday night, with their constant harping about how historical the move was by holding a playoff game hostage on Peacock.
As anyone who tuned in to watch the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on Saturday was well aware, fans were in for a very special treat Saturday night.
“Now, for the first time ever, a playoff game will stream exclusively on Peacock. Sign up now and witness history.”
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) January 13, 2024
If you groaned every time you saw that ad during Saturday afternoon’s game you were far from alone.
“Sign up on Peacock and witness history!” 😂😂😂 #NFL 💰
— Bill Burr (@billburr) January 14, 2024
There’s nothing tame about telling people that they’re going to be “witnessing history” to see the first playoff game streamed for six bucks.
— Bill Burr (@billburr) January 14, 2024
The historical feat of paywalled playoff games
— The Saurus (@TheSaurus831) January 14, 2024
“They sold the game for 110 million. And I know that’s a lot of money, but the NFL is making $20 billion a year,” Charles Barkley said before the incessant “making history” promos even began airing. “To screw your fans like that, it’s just not cool at all. That’s just flat out greedy and I’m disappointed in the NFL.”
Of course, millions of fans still tuned in to Peacock, because they were left no other choice by the NFL, and Peacock set a new record for viewership… of sorts.
“An average of 23 million people streamed the game on Peacock making the first ever NFL playoff game to be exclusively streamed the most streamed event of any kind in the U.S. ever. Super Wild Card Saturday was also an all-time record day for U.S. internet traffic, with most of those people interacting with NFL content online,” Mike Tirico proudly told viewers during Sunday night’s playoff game.
“Congratulations to our Comcast and NBC Universal teammates and thanks to Commissioner Roger Goodell, our partners at the NFL and to all the fans on this record-setting collaboration. A milestone moment in media and sports history.”
NBC celebrates the Peacock game, calling it the "most streamed event ever" with 23 million viewers and thanking Roger Goodell and the NFL.
Mike Tirico calls it "A milestone moment in media and sports history."
NBC also thanks you for your subscription fee. pic.twitter.com/WGJQMRzVP2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15, 2024
Again with the “history” reference? Really?
“This is not that far from the government congratulating itself for collecting the most taxes ever,” read another comment.
NBC when they pull off the most anti consumer move in NFL history pic.twitter.com/BbWf5qwS4T
— Nick (@yzy_yzy_wasgood) January 15, 2024
“‘Milestone event’ in taking more of your money,” another fan commented. “A milestone event benefiting no one but the people getting your $5 subscription fee. The age of absolute unapologetic greed.”
Jesus, they are celebrating like they landed on the moon.
— Mike Ryan (@mryan311) January 15, 2024
“One day they will teach classes on how the NFL used Taylor Swift’s fans to make billions by selling rights to stream future games based off these numbers,” NFL analyst Warren Sharp responded sarcastically.
Today is the “most cancellations ever” for Peacock - bet we won’t see a promotional spot for that!
— Cecilia (@ccgamboa) January 15, 2024