Well, it wasn't like ESPN, ESPNN, ESPN2, or ESPNC came on as standard channels. People had to demand it or threaten to get rid of their cable/satellite service. There apparently is president for it. There was a huge college basket ball game that ESPN put on EPSN2, where only a small portion of people had the channel to see it. People called up angery as all can be. All of sudden ESPN2 became a standard.
The consumer always pays. And DirectTV has the exclusive rights to the NFL direct package. I don't know how long the deal is for, but till the contract runs, and DirectTV offers money the NFL can refuse, it'll stay on DirectTV.
It's not the fact the NFL would like people to pay for individual games. The issue, as I see it, I don't think the product lends itself well to that kind of sellling plan. Nevermind the how if it would be possible with federal regulations regarding Blackouts; it is a law that the Senate created because they were tired of not being able to watch their Redskins.
As for the consumers really getting riped off, I still think going to the actual games is where a lot fans get taken. Look at the Patriots:
http://cachemediasrv.patriots.com/Im...ting_chart.gif
The cheapest tickets they have are $59, the most expensive is $125, which is not including any taxes, handling fees, and whatever else they tack on.
All that said, if they do try to charge for individual games tv viewing, I think it is rather ticky tacky. It may be worth watching how well the ESPN channel sells on XBL, especially the past games they have.
