Want to see a dynamic young quarterback in Kyler Murray try to will his team to an upset at home against the Jim Harbaugh-coached Los Angeles Chargers. TOO BAD! If you don’t have ESPN+ that is.
Coming up next exclusively on ESPN+@chargers vs. @AZCardinals! pic.twitter.com/XucJejyREw
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2024
Look I get that cord cutting and streaming are the ways of the future, but we’re talking about the NFL. The league already charges out the eyeballs for NFL Sunday Ticket, which is magnificent when the Caitlin Clark-less WNBA Finals aren’t causing disruptions on the YouTube TV quad box.
Like OK, it chaps my bum that I have to spring for Peacock when NBC decides to broadcast games there only. This is way different. ESPN has, like, a zillion different other networks — namely, ESPN2.
The fine folks at the four-letter network know what they’re doing, or are programming stuff that htey believe is in the best interest of their company. Getting a little ahead of the curve on streaming with this ESPN+ thing is probably for the best long-term. Damn is it annoying in real time, though.
I’m so confused about the whole Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ situation. You can bundle them all together, but why do that now when Hulu and Disney+ are gonna merge someday? Still waiting for that to happen. I already sprung for an annual chunk fee for Disney+. ESPN+ has very little to offer other than Bill “My Columns Are Needlessly The Length Of Terms And Conditions Agreements” Barnwell content and the odd insider scoop fodder.
To shut out millions of prospective Cardinals-Chargers viewers rather than just putting it on ESPN2, or hell, ESPNews, ESPNU, or even letting it stream for free on the ESPN app? It’s baffling. I’m not alone in thinking this.
This is now the third streaming platform an NFL game has appeared on this season.
In addition to NFL Network, a paid cable channel.
This is madness and MUST be stopped. https://t.co/pVsce7T69R
— James H. (@jhathaway85) October 22, 2024
STUPID AF HAVING IT ONLY IN ESPN+ fucking losers https://t.co/NpVPKRCShF
— Rey20 (@reyyreyyy20) October 22, 2024
They severely overestimated the draw of this game.
Not signing up for ESPN+ for this.
I guess my $450 Sunday Ticket isn’t enough. https://t.co/hqAx43wdxG
— Texx Cards (@TexxCards) October 22, 2024
We are NOT watching😭✌️
— Le☔️ (@ThereGoLeban) October 22, 2024
Wait so Chargers Cardinals on Espn + wtf why is it not on nfl network or espn 2 or something this different app/channel/plus shit is getting annoying
— Thurgo Datman Kyle (@ThurgoDatman41) October 22, 2024
Having TWO Monday Night Football games just to put one on ESPN+ is insane to me. I have the subscription service but I know not everyone does. Starting to ruin the inclusivity that is the sport of football, imo.
— Dan. (@Visionary_SZN) October 21, 2024
Never put a game exclusively on ESPN+ again
— Brannon Simmons (@boomagic31) October 22, 2024
Only on ESPN+ ? Unbelievable
— NFL Memes (@NFLHateMemes) October 22, 2024
There's a Monday Night Football game that's ONLY on ESPN plus? Is the objective here to make sure nobody watches the game? Great job, guys
— Pat Casey 🎅 (@Pat_Kc) October 22, 2024
Wanna know how to make viewing numbers for your NFL game as low as possible? Don’t settle for streaming it exclusively on a platform a lot of your target audience isn’t subscribed to. Make sure to pick out a prime-time game that’s overlapping almost the entire time with another prime-time game.
You know you might have an issue when one of the NFL’s chief gambling partners is calling you out.
So THAT'S why they put this game on ESPN+ 😅pic.twitter.com/lY4AlD3mZd
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) October 22, 2024
Then, of course, the wide receiver infamously drafted the pick before Justin Jefferson made an all-time gaffe because of course he did.
Another crazy turn of events in Arizona!
A potential Chargers TD turns into a fumble into the end zone
📺: #LACvsAZ on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/3l0XuKKkHz
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2024
Guess most of us will be playing catch-up to the chaos in the desert via X/Twitter highlights all night. Many thanks, ESPN+.
