Even players are surprised by the NFL's streaming-only playoff games.
Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu expressed regret on social media that Saturday night's wild-card game between Kansas City and the Dolphins was broadcast exclusively on Peacock.
“It's insane that we play only Peacock. I won't lie,” Omenifu said. I have written Sunday night at X.
The Wall Street Journal reported in May that NBCUniversal reached a one-year deal with the Peacocks and the NFL worth about $110 million that would give it exclusive rights to the 8 p.m. Saturday games during Wild Card weekend. It was reported. Available for streaming only.
The exception is local markets. Fans in the Kansas City and Miami areas will be able to watch the game for free on his local NBC affiliate.
Amazon Prime Video has purchased the exclusive broadcast rights to “Thursday Night Football” starting with the 2022 season, but it will also be streaming only, except in the markets of the teams involved.
The Peacocks also hosted an exclusive regular season game on Dec. 23, when the Bills defeated the Chargers.
Omenihu, who had a career-high seven sacks in 11 games this season in his first year with the Chiefs, echoed the sentiments of many fans on social media, accusing the NFL of being greedy and not doing what's best for fans.
Former WFAN host Mike Francesa called this “an absolutely shameful, greedy act by the NFL.”
“How many people in America don't have cable TV? How many people in America don't have a smart TV? In America, people don't even know what streaming is, let alone find streaming. How many people are there? [are] Are you willing to pay extra to attend a playoff game?'' Francesa moaned over a clip on the podcast Shared by @BackAftaThis At X.
“This is a joke that the NFL is going to do this with their playoff product. It's bad enough that they do it in a Thursday night regular season game or they do it in a Saturday regular season game. But , to do that in a playoff game is the biggest slap in the face to their national fan base. People wait all year for these playoff games. They love playoff games, but in the playoffs… Are they going to charge extra for a match? Are they not giving enough? Are they not making money?”
NBC will air Texans vs. Browns on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Lions vs. Rams on Sunday at 8 p.m. for free.
CBS will air Sunday's Bills-Steelers game at 1 p.m., and Fox will air Sunday's Cowboys-Packers game at 4:30 p.m.
ESPN and ABC will broadcast Buccaneers vs. Eagles Monday night at 8:15 p.m.
