I've gotten a lot of twitter/comment/email followup on the NBC/IndyCar article mostly asked about the same two issues that I figured we could use an addendum.
1 - NBC already does live streaming for over 100+ Olympic events so they definitely have experience and server capability.
2 - We can all agree that IndyCar fans have been spoiled with free streaming, but those of us up in a stir are not mad because we think NBC needs to offer this stuff for free. We all just know some option needs to exist; whether pay-per-view-streaming or a free but slightly inferior online product compared to TV with sold ad space. Both are revenue streams NBC is ignoring that ESPN and CBS have found a way to make work very well.
Here is a list of all the many sports that I can watch LIVE online as of today:
- Olympics (free via NBC)
- MLB (paid for any game / some free on ESPN3)
- NFL (paid)
- NBA (select games free on ESPN3)
- NCAA basketball (select games free on ESPN3, paid to watch any regular season D-I game)
- NCAA baseball (select games free on ESPN3, paid to watch any regular season D-I game)
- NCAA football (free for a multitude of games on ESPN3)
- NCAA softball (select games free on ESPN3, paid to watch any regular season D-I game)
- NCAA Wrestling (free for select tournaments)
- NCAA Hockey (select games free on ESPN3, paid for most other D-I games)
- ATP Tennis (everything free except champ matches)
- PGA & LPGA Tour (free until final day then TV only)
- American LeMans Series (free qualifying and races)
- La Liga (free / soccer)
- German Bundesliga (free / soccer)
- Eredivisie (free / soccer)
- Serie A (free / soccer)
- FIFA World Cup (free)
- FIFA U20 and U17 (free)
- MLS (free)
- X-Games (free - all events qualifying and final runs)
- Rugby (free)
- U.S. High School basketball & football (select games free)
- NCAA Lacrosse (free)
- Major League Lacrosse (free)
- KHL (free / hockey)
- Race of Champions (paid)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (free)
- Superleague Formula (free)
IndyCar is falling off a list that includes basically every major sport on this earth. For a sport that tries to brand itself as being at the forefront of technology, its about to start looking like its on the cutting edge of the late 90s for fans.
I don't imagine ESPN, CBS and CBS-C are eating huge losses to keep those many streaming options alive, some of them are on their 4th or more year. That list is also only based on U.S. availability, I'm sure other countries can add more to it.also send me anything you think I missed.
3 comments:
As a person who admittedly will watch sports online however I can find it, I'd like to point out that the MLB subscription is definitely worth purchasing. I pay $99 (could pay $119 for more options, but don't) and have access to a dozen games every day all summer long.
Compare this to my brother's $300+ DirecTV subscription for NFL (and its online component), which allows him the ability to watch football on 17 days throughout the year... It's not even close. Especially when considering ht epercentage of games shown for free on regular TV anyway. (Also, NBC's NFL games are online for free, but not ESPN's.)
Also, I know Allen pointed out NCAA Basketball wasn't available during the regular season, but I love being able to watch the March Madness stuff online for free through CBS.
In terms of racing these should also be available in the US:
- FIA GT1 World Championship (free)
- Superleague Formula (free)
- FIA Formula Two did have it, not sure if it still does (free)
There's a chance the BTCC feed is available but I think it may be geo-locked as its on the ITV site, I've not coerced anyone into trying it. :)
These are the top most and world class sports which is mostly watched by the people all over the world, I am too interested to watch these sports live. If you are looking for the best website for free sports streaming, visit on wizhdsports.
Post a Comment