Comedian Bill Maher lashed out at streaming services for ruining the football experience during his latest “New Rules” segment on HBO’s Real Time. Maher claimed that streaming platforms are making it harder to watch live games due to lack of user control over commercials and delayed game broadcasts.
Maher expressed frustration with YouTube TV, where he has to navigate through multiple steps to switch between games, likening the experience to switching sexes in America. He also noted that streaming services are losing classic TV perks like DVR capabilities, which allowed viewers to zip through commercials. The comedian joked that it’s now impossible to tell where commercials end and action resumes.
Maher pointed out that streaming services often remove full-day game broadcasts from their platforms, making it difficult for fans to re-watch games at their convenience. He concluded that streaming has created a “worst of all worlds” scenario, where viewers are forced to watch live games they’re paying for, but with commercials, and without the ability to zip through them.
The comedian’s rant was backed by recent changes in the NFL’s partnership with streaming services. The league has secured massive deals with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock, further expanding its online reach. Maher’s criticism highlights the growing tension between traditional TV and streaming services in the sports industry.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bill-maher-mad-nfl-games-airing-streamers-1236130694