Streaming and exclusivity

I cut the cord some years ago, leaving cable behind.  

Mostly, its been great. But streaming services are so bizarre.  And when it comes to sports packages and special events, its even more bizarre.

Try watching your local sports team without cable.  The major sports (outside of the NFL) have deals with services that are exclusive to cable.  Don't have cable? Can't watch!

And now you're seeing special events - from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade to specific events that want you to subscribe to a service in order to watch.

Its crazy.

I've experienced not being able to watch English Premier League games on Peacock, because they were being televised on USA (on cable).

And then there's the NFL, which has some games on over-the-air TV, and others on various streaming platforms, so now you have to pay to see some number of games.

But its weirder than that.  On thanksgiving, the early game was on CBS.  I was not near a TV and thought I'd watch it on Paramount+.  Only I couldn't because it required me to signin to my cable provider in order to watch, in spite of subscribing, and this not being some kind of special event.

Its just all so strange.