DAZN subscription

[theaardvark]

I guess the argument is that stealing from a local grocer hurts that grocer, but stealing from a national chain can "afford" the loss, and usually has it built into their business model, so while still a crime, it is a "victimless" crime.

Stealing broadcast signal is a crime, but most see it as a "victimless" crime.  The place it loses that argument is when people who would normally pay for the service start to pirate it, which then means the provider actually loses money.

Why is that important?  If the number of pirates is within the rounding error, its probably not.  But if it becomes a substantial number, especially within an identifiable group of users, then paying for the content those users are pirating becomes not viable. And the revenue that the league receives can end.

I'm not sure how long the DAZN deal is guaranteed for, or what the deliverables are within the deal, or how much of the $ are from DAZN, but if the league doesn't get them eyeballs, its not going to get renewed.

[dd]

I think folks are tired of the gouging that's going on right now, whether its the grocery stores hosing you for grossly inflated grocery prices, inflated restaurant prices , the price of gas sky rocketing, CFL changes and now a subscription cost. I for one am fed up with all of it. Ever since covid, everyone is has an excuse as to why they can hose you. Well time to make some tough calls. Beef is $30/lb, no more steaks. Gas is $1.85, guess I'll talk my bike or walk, CFL wants to you pay more to watch certain games, guess we don't watch those games, and if they continue to change the rules, maybe we just move on from the league altogether. I've watched the game since 1975 and this is the first year I haven't been fired up for the season opener..yep, times they are a changing.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

No change ever pleased everyone, everytime.  Yes, Johnston has made moves (with 100% CFL owners agreement) that some hardcore fans dislike.  But getting a 66% increase in TV revenues in a league that relies on those more than ever is worth taking some lumps over.

When you have to go to a longstanding partner and some potential new partners, and want them to pony up MORE than previously, you have to show why.  You have to give a reason.  Change is important, and while some traditionalists may say these are not in the spirit of the CFL's long and storied history, I say that if preserving and growing the league while maintaining its core values (12 men, 65 yd wide, deep endzones and ratio) means sacrificing the 55 yard line, that's a small price to pay to still have a CFL 10 years from now.

Will the league lose some diehards?  Maybe. But those are not the demographic these broadcast partners seek. And, truthfully, many diehards are aging out of viewership altogether.

Meanwhile, through new viewing venues and shifting schedules, the league is counting on putting new eyes on the product.  A product that is getting better every year, and is getting reviews from players and coaches that its dang good football. And, maybe, just maybe, they start realizing that it is more interesting/fun to watch.

Broadening access to the league, reducing the impact gate has on black ink, these are great things. 

When Johnston was hired, many were wary.  When the proposed changes were brought it, there was much ballyhoo.  But he was brought in for his media savvy, and on that he has delivered in spades.

Again, a 66% increase in TV revenue is far and above what I had dreamed he could deliver.  I can't see a team in the league now having red ink, and it makes a 10 or dare I dream, 12 team league possible.  Now, with that revenue, a 15k stadium might be profitable.  And that can be built just about anywhere.

The Schooners, and teams in Quebec City and London suddenly become in play (can't do Brampton or Markham, because then Toronto would want a team ). 

There are so many reasons this is a great thing.  There is no way lost viewership over subscriptions and the 55yard line will come close to offsetting a 66% increase in media revenue for the teams.

I can't see any downside to this.  Sorry.

The deal is obviously good news for the league, more revenue helps grow and improve the product.  From a fan viewpoint, change is rarely good news, we all have to adjust every time a digital service is added, deleted or altered in some way and it rarely makes people happy, but that's life. 

I'm not subscribing to another service but I'll find a work around to watch any Bomber games blacked out from TSN, whether that's watching the game a day later on YouTube, or streaming it live on a shady gambling site as I sometimes do with NHL playoff games.  I don't need to see it live to find joy, as long as the Bombers play well and win.

[GOLDMEMBER]

And that's the thing that is a scaring me most. Both here and on other forums there are posters that are in the upper echelons of uber fans that are expressing thoughts of quitting the CFL. Or massively curtailing their commitment and support.

Guys I would have thought would be sitting in the stands all geared up even if there was a nuclear war.

If Johnston moves are making these guys feel this way, then maybe it's even worse among the less committed fans.

This should worry everyone.

P.s. Goldie, what are the other reasons that are bothering you?

It is just Goldie getting older. The Bombers do a great job, really.

[Tecno]

IMO, TSN could've easily kept airing all the games going forward in Canada without giving 1/4 of them away to a non-Canadian streaming service.

Maybe if all the pirates were paying for their TSN subscriptions all this time then it could have stayed all TSN...

And it's not TSN giving away 25% of the games, it's the CFL!  It's Johnston, the BOG and team owners.  So all of you who will pirate TSN & DAZN because they are "too big & faceless & too profitable", you're really pirating & hurting the CFL.  You know, the thing we're supposed to love?

[Tecno]

Will the league lose some diehards?  Maybe. But those are not the demographic these broadcast partners seek. And, truthfully, many diehards are aging out of viewership altogether.

I've had 3 oldsters I knew pass away in the 5 years.  All hardcore CFL fans, and STH.  None ever "aged out" of watching the CFL.  In fact, I'm pretty sure as you get older, the more Bombers games you watch -- as you have nothing else to do!  They don't stop watching until they are dead.

Meanwhile, through new viewing venues and shifting schedules, the league is counting on putting new eyes on the product.

I'll believe that when I see it.  Remember, the all-critical market for CFL is inside Canada.  How DAZN builds more fans who will attend is beyond me.  I guess if they convert the NFL bigots (Canadians who only watch NFL, not CFL) in droves then I'll eat crow.  But I'm not sure how having a handful of games on DAZN does this...

Again, a 66% increase in TV revenue is far and above what I had dreamed he could deliver.  I can't see a team in the league now having red ink, and it makes a 10 or dare I dream, 12 team league possible.

If they get that 10th team AND get new butts in seats, then it will have been a success.  I'm not sure even Johnston believes this is possible, though.

I can't see any downside to this.  Sorry.

What happens in 2033 when it's renewal time and DAZN is broke, or has IPO'd and doesn't need to pad its numbers at a loss anymore?  That's the downside.  (And I'm assuming DAZN doesn't have an exit clause they can exercise earlier!!)

[Waffler]

What happens in 2033 when it's renewal time and DAZN is broke, or has IPO'd and doesn't need to pad its numbers at a loss anymore?  That's the downside.  (And I'm assuming DAZN doesn't have an exit clause they can exercise earlier!!)

Heard nothing about an exit clause. If they have one the first year is critical.

From what I can see the company (DAZN) has the same strategy that worked for Amazon. That is, willing to suffer huge losses year after year with the ultimate goal of becoming the gorilla of their niche. It remains to be seen if DAZN survives and succeeds or gets bought out or maybe just folds.

The CFL has to have one of the tiniest fanbases to own in the grand design of being the biggest soccer, NFL and sports provider in the world. The only way this makes sense is the gambling money. Right now that is illegal in much of Canada, hence the Americanization of our game. So for DAZN it is ideal that two things happen, Canada allows sports betting and Americans also bet on CFL games. Right now I would not be optimistic for either. Being based in the UK I wonder how much good intel they have about North America and how fast they would be likely to bail if the option is there.

[Jesse]

Heard nothing about an exit clause. If they have one the first year is critical.

From what I can see the company (DAZN) has the same strategy that worked for Amazon. That is, willing to suffer huge losses year after year with the ultimate goal of becoming the gorilla of their niche. It remains to be seen if DAZN survives and succeeds or gets bought out or maybe just folds.

The CFL has to have one of the tiniest fanbases to own in the grand design of being the biggest soccer, NFL and sports provider in the world. The only way this makes sense is the gambling money. Right now that is illegal in much of Canada, hence the Americanization of our game. So for DAZN it is ideal that two things happen, Canada allows sports betting and Americans also bet on CFL games. Right now I would not be optimistic for either. Being based in the UK I wonder how much good intel they have about North America and how fast they would be likely to bail if the option is there.

A DAZN representative was on a radio show yesterday and one comment they made was having their content run year round. If people pause their subscriptions when the NFL is done, that leaves 6 months of non-payments.

[The Zipp]

A DAZN representative was on a radio show yesterday and one comment they made was having their content run year round. If people pause their subscriptions when the NFL is done, that leaves 6 months of non-payments.

i am still going to pause my subscription for the months of Feb, March, April and maybe May (depending on the schedule of Bomber games) New $$ for DAZN from me will be June, July and August

[blue_gold_84]

Maybe if all the pirates were paying for their TSN subscriptions all this time then it could have stayed all TSN...

You can't be serious with the above statement.

And it's not TSN giving away 25% of the games, it's the CFL!  It's Johnston, the BOG and team owners.  So all of you who will pirate TSN & DAZN because they are "too big & faceless & too profitable", you're really pirating & hurting the CFL.  You know, the thing we're supposed to love?

Whoever made the decision isn't the relevant point here. It's the fact that this decision was made at all which is insulting to TSN/TSN+ customers.

Feel free to clutch those pearls all you want, but online piracy isn't why the CFL is hurting financially. Fans whose pockets are being emptied by corporate avarice who then choose not to pay for overpriced streaming platforms aren't the villains in this.

[LXTSN]

Would love to see this money help fund a 10th team. Would be nice to get back to a nice even number.
Is the obvious choice to add a team in Halifax? I think it would be awesome to have one in the Maritimes and Halifax is the 12th largest metro population in Canada with not much else to root for aside from soccer and minor league hockey. I think they would do well.

[Waffler]

Would love to see this money help fund a 10th team. Would be nice to get back to a nice even number.
Is the obvious choice to add a team in Halifax? I think it would be awesome to have one in the Maritimes and Halifax is the 12th largest metro population in Canada with not much else to root for aside from soccer and minor league hockey. I think they would do well.

Geographically the Maritimes provide great optics. Realistically, Quebec City is the better option for attendance and rivalries. They seem to be serious about building a new stadium too.

[blue_gold_84]

Would love to see this money help fund a 10th team. Would be nice to get back to a nice even number.
Is the obvious choice to add a team in Halifax? I think it would be awesome to have one in the Maritimes and Halifax is the 12th largest metro population in Canada with not much else to root for aside from soccer and minor league hockey. I think they would do well.

Halifax has to be the play. It's such a vibrant and fun city and CFL expansion there would be my ideal way to even out the number of teams, not to mention make the CFL truly coast to coast.

Here's hoping third time's the charm but I remain skeptical for now, even with this new broadcast arrangement.

[Jesse]

Geographically the Maritimes provide great optics. Realistically, Quebec City is the better option for attendance and rivalries. They seem to be serious about building a new stadium too.

I agree that Quebec City is the most realistic option.

[VictorRomano]

So all of you who will pirate TSN & DAZN because they are "too big & faceless & too profitable", you're really pirating & hurting the CFL.  You know, the thing we're supposed to love?

The CFL I grew up loving is soon to be dead and gone with all the rule changes to try and alter the core audience and promote it as NFL-lite.  I might consider paying again if (and ONLY if) the CFL returned to it's Canadian roots, ruleset, and field size.  I gave up my shared season tickets this year, and will not pay to watch games this year, for the inferior product that is being pushed on long-time fans who didn't ask for these changes in the first place.  Corporate bigwigs and their boards of directors only understand one thing - profit and loss.  I'm letting the loss of the thousands I used to spend annually speak for my position on the matter.  If that leads to the final gasp of life from this league, it's no loss in my eyes - they brought it on themselves by alienating their core market.