Stampede Blue gets some sponsor love: Comcast Redzone

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 8:32 AM EDT in Horse Bucket Comment 28 comments

I mentioned Comcast Redzone yesterday in the Luke Links so I could gauge how many of you Colts fans had Comcast. I also wanted to know whether those of you with Comcast purchased and liked their Redzone add-on. For many of the responders, Comcast seems to provide a good service, especially with them adding NFL Network for free to subscribers. Coltsfan58 offered a good (and funny) evaluation:

I have the Comcast digital package and sports package, so it’s Channel 271 for me. In fact, I’ll probably never watch the NFL Network except for actual games or NFL Films footage again, now that my ADD-addled mind can flit through red zone possessions in 6-9 ongoing games. That way, I can avoid hearing the NFL Network’s crappy announcers and only be exposed to hacks on Fox and CBS in small doses.

I found the last sentence of this review especially humorous.

I'm glad many of you have good experiences (for the most part) with Comcast because they are sponsoring Stampede Blue for the season. Comcast approached SB Nation because they were looking to get the word out about Comcast Redzone . Comcast knew the best way to reach hardcore NFL fans was through SB Nation blogs, which (when you really think about it) is very flattering. We've come a long way from where we were three years ago, when I was one of six NFL bloggers in this entire network.

Since Indianapolis is one of Comcast's subscription areas, it seemed a no-brainer to have them sponsor our blog for the year.

As many of you longtime readers know, I work very hard not to bombard you with insane, distracting advertising. You're here to read football, not sales pitches. While ads are a part of Internet life (because we all gotta make a living), there is a fine line between sponsorship and what I call "Infomercial-style blogging." So, just because Comcast is sponsoring us does not mean I will be bombarding you with marketing messages every day. But, I will remind you every once in a while about some of the great sports features available from Comcast, like Redzone. And with the reminders, I'll tie them into something pertaining to the team, such as stats and trends for the Colts redzone defense, which is a big point of emphasis for Colts defensive coordinator Larry Coyer.

Also, I've got a special note: This weekend on Sunday, October 4th, Comcast is offering a free preview of NFL Red Zone this Sunday for the 1pm games. So, if you are curious about this add-on, this weekend is a good time to try it.

Plus, Comcast has stuff like On Demand content from the NFL Network including game recaps of every game, every week; draft profiles, player profiles, etc. So, if the NFL Network announcers don't annoy you as much as they annoy Coltsfan58, this extra bit of content is up your alley.

Special thanks to Comcast for sponsoring Stampede Blue and 18 other SB Nation NFL blogs. And, thanks to many of you for your honest reviews of Comcast in the Luke Links article yesterday.

A few other things Comcast has going on after the jump...

Recently moved all of the major sports networks to their most popular tier of service giving it to millions more people at no additional charge, and launched ESPNU. Also offering ESPN360 to their internet customers for free.
Comcast has the new NFL Redzone on its Sports Entertainment Package (about $5-7) this channel is getting a ton of buzz, and fans love it. This weekend Comcast will offer the NFL Redzone for free to all of its 17 million digital customers. The ³free-view² will be available this Sunday, October 4 from 1 PM to 4:15 PM EST.
This weekend, NFL RedZone joins Comcast¹s current offering of live sports programming, as well as NFL Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, ESPNU, MLB Network, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Golf Channel, Speed and Versus among others on its Digital Preferred package, and will also be available to its Digital Starter customers. Comcast¹s SEP, the usual home for NFL¹s RedZone, also includes the major professional sports networks, as well as CBS College Sports, Fox College Sports, Fox Soccer, Gol TV, the Tennis Channel and other networks.
They also have On Demand content from the NFL network whose game recaps of every game every week, draft profiles, player profiles, etc.

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What channel?

Anybody know what channel the Redzone is on Comcast in Indy?

by coltus on Sep 30, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Channe listing

I believe you can find your local channel listings here: http://www.comcast.com/Localization/Localize.cspx?Referer=%2fCustomers%2fClu%2fChannelLineup.ashx%3farea%3d0

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I for one welcome our new corporate overlords.

Actually, comcast has been given a lot of crap but they gave me good service with little BS for a solid year. So I suppose I can tolerate the occasional plug.

by slash196 on Sep 30, 2009 9:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

huh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gO59rZrisQ
Reel Big Fish – “Sell Out”

I kid I kid. Mostly. I don’t mind ads. I turn off my adblock on independent sites that I love to support (including this one). This is something completely different though. Throwing bits into the posts where you “will remind you every once in a while about some of the great sports features available from Comcast, like Redzone.”… are you kidding me? Say what you will but throwing plugs into posts for Comcast borders dangerously on “infomercial style blogging.”

1) Why do you keep calling it “Comcast RedZone”? It’s available on other provider’s besides comcast. It’s not a Comcast thing. It’s a NFL Network thing. It even says so in the graphic at the top of the post. Did Comcast request you call it “Comcast RedZone” rather than it’s real name of “NFL RedZone”?

2) When I had comcast (twice over two different spans of a couple years between 2001 and 2008), they SUCKED. Their internet was constantly going out and their $/channel rate was horrible. I switched to AT&T U-Verse (hey, if you can plug so can I) and I’ve never had ANY internet downtime, plus I get WAY more channels for my money (including a ton more HD channels).

3) Getting dangerously close to abandoning this site. The hyperbole (and hyperventilating) over every little thing, the inconsistency that occurs from post to post (and within the same post), accusing the head coach of incompetence over the Charlie Johnson starting yet failing to offer any kind of “hey, sorry about that” now that he’s shown to be quite competent… it’s really getting hard to read. Honestly the only thing that keeps me coming back is mgrex’s stats posts.

Hate to be That Guy on a site, but I’ve been coming here for a long time and it’s tough to see the quality dropping so quickly. Becoming a promotional arm for comcast is just another straw on the camel’s back, unfortunately.

by jdb on Sep 30, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Response

Well, you’re kind of throwing a lot of stuff at me there. Everything from hating sponsorship posts to essentially saying my writing has steadily declined since 2006. I’ll just say that I respectfully disagree, and if anything the writing here has gotten fresher, richer, and more informed each and every season. And in regards to CJ, it’s funny that you mention that because I was waiting until after the Seahawks game to post a “Charlie has won me over” article, because it will have been four games into the season, and I feel four games is a better sample of play than three.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

alright one at a time

I guess a numbered list of points isn’t concise enough, so I’ll just focus on the topic at hand. Sponsorship.

Sponsorship is one thing, but posts turning into things like “Larry Coyer’s RedZone defense has it’s work cut out for it in the upcoming stretch of games, and that will be important for the Colts to win. Speaking of red zones, Comcast RedZone is available from Comcast!” goes beyond sponsorship and into shill territory.

Also, again, it’s not “Comcast RedZone” – it’s NFL RedZone. It’s an NFL Network offered channel, and it’s not just on Comcast. Why is it being called “Comcast RedZone” almost exclusively in this post? I think that is what triggered my comment in the first place because it positively reeks that you’ve been given talking points and best practices on Comcast branding that you need to use. To me, it’s a bad sign of things to come.

Maybe I’ll be wrong, but this introduction to it does not give me high expectations.

by jdb on Sep 30, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comcast

Cut me a little slack, jdb. If I wrote something like, “Larry Coyer’s RedZone defense has it’s work cut out for it in the upcoming stretch of games, and that will be important for the Colts to win. Speaking of red zones, Comcast RedZone is available from Comcast!” I totally deserve to be made fun of by you and just about every other reader here. I agree, that kind of post would be Florio-esque, and not with the standards of this site.

With future posts, if someone like Comcast asks to highlight an add-on for the week, my usual question to my bosses is “How can I make this into a post that actually means something content-wise?” I’m not just going to post “But this!” So, an idea I had was tracking things like red zone efficiency, brought to you by Comcast Redzone (or, NFL RedZone, or Comcast NFL RedZone, or… whatever.) This way, it’s not just a cynical sales pitch for a product. There is something there for loyal readers and football fans.

I’ll share this small nugget with you: As our network increases and more corporate sponsors call to post ads on sites, there is often a strong internal debate among bloggers over where the ads should go, how long they should be there, etc. And when corporations like Comcast offer support in exchange for an occasional shout out for a product, one of the very first questions that pops up (usually from me) is “Is the product good? I’m not doing a post for a crappy product.” this is why I asked folks yesterday if they had Comcast and the Redzone channel. If I’d had gotten a lot of very negative feedback from readers on that, I would have been less inclined to post today’s sponsorship article.

And regarding the name, we were sent some copy regarding the product, and it was called “Comcast Redzone.” The add-on also goes by the name “NFL RedZone” and “Comcast NFL RedZone.” I’ve always known it as the “Redzone” channel. But, since I suck and only have Time Warner, I cannot see it at home.

Does all this help give you a better idea of how this will go, and are you a little more satisfied with it?

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Definitely gives me a better idea. I’m still skeptical, because I think it crosses the ad/editorial line that the old print media we love to bash has tried to uphold. This could be an interesting test of how blogs handle this sort of situation compared to print. Florio has failed it. Hopefully SBNation does not.

by jdb on Sep 30, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe this will help clarify a little bit, I'm no expert but this is what I know on marketing

The number one thing about marketing is to get your product’s name out there and have people talking about. And how do you make sure people remember your name? Repetition. Now I’m not sure if BBS was told to write “Comcast RedZone” a certain amount of times but when you are talking about the guy, or product, that is writing your paycheck, you are not going to disrespect them by not saying their real name.

It’s pretty obvious that the part after the break was basically copied and pasted from some section but if you like it don’t read it, it’s pretty simple.

And yes other companies offer their “RedZone” coverage, but Comcast wants to make sure that you check out THEIR coverage and so hence the name “Comcast RedZone”.

All in all, SBNation has done a TERRIFIC job keeping the entire network hassle free to us, the consumer, while maintaining a steady income from corporate sponsorship.

Most importantly though, I welcome any new way that helps me watch my football team and if there is a better way out there than illegally watching it online from some guy that is streaming the video from his webcam pointed at his TV, then I’m all for BBS helping “Comcast RedZone” spreading the word.

by MarkFive05 on Sep 30, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry, what was that?

All I heard was “boo hoo hoo”.

Either contribute and make it a better site or go hang out somewhere else.

by slash196 on Sep 30, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

helpful

Very helpful comment.

by jdb on Sep 30, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm...

it’s tough to see the quality dropping so quickly

I have been here a while too, and it seems to be still the same as it ever was. BBS has strong opinions and sticks to them. I never agree with everything he says, but who should? He has been and will continue to be wrong about some things, like back in the day he couldn’t believe teams passed on Brady Quinn in the draft. How did that turn out BBS???

Nelson Pictures, Images and Photos

Heh, sorry couldn’t help myself. Anyhoo… how is he any different of a writer today than back then?

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 30, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

However

I was right about Reggie bush and Vince Young, wasn’t I. I still have scars from Colts fans roasting me on those opinions.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reggie Bush is an odd case

he’s not a bad player, but he was drafted so high the Saints have to try to make him into something he’s not. If his expectations had been electric returnman, great slot receiver and 3rd down back, rather than best player in the draft he’d probably be looked at as a success instead of a bust.

The number of ways you can fool yourself is just amazing.

by shake n bake on Sep 30, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bush

He’s a running back drafted #2 overall who can’t run the football, which is what I called him back in 2006. Receiving, returning, and all that are nice, but when you are a running back who cannot run, you suck. So, it is more than just not living up to the hype. He is simply not that good at his primary job.

Also, he’s still getting paid #2 overall money, which he clearly is not worth.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if he was a late first rounder or second rounder

taken with the understanding that he’s not anything close to an everydown back. I think he’d be considered a steal.

The number of ways you can fool yourself is just amazing.

by shake n bake on Sep 30, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

basically he should have been considered Devin Hester (2nd rounder in 06)

with much more offensive usefulness

The number of ways you can fool yourself is just amazing.

by shake n bake on Sep 30, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey I never said you were always wrong...

I said sometimes. :)

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 30, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Yes BBS on VY and Bush

You are correct, Sir.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 30, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of annoying ads

The red flashy JC Penny ad is about to give me epilepsy!

Check it to Pancakes! Pancakes!

by Picky on Sep 30, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i have to be honest guys

i pay absolutely no attention to the adds on here. unless…….they are screwed up and taking up half the text on the screen, are flashing and giving me a seizure (+1 Picky), or have beautiful women in bikini’s

otherwise i dont care. i guess i wont know when its too much, until its too much.

by MARVININDY on Sep 30, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

there are ads on this site?

I never noticed… what with Adblock Plus and scriptblocker.

Anyhoo… Comcast isn’t an angel, but it isn’t the worst cable company out there.

Now where are the posts about the upcoming seahawks game?

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 30, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seahawks posts

All upcoming Seahawks posts will be sponsored by 36 hour Cialis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU32e1ZkIrk

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Sep 30, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always thought of you more...

as an enzyte type of guy.

enzyte Pictures, Images and Photos

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 30, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AdBlock Plus for the win people

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

by torontocoltsfan on Sep 30, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

This thing is great! Everyone should have AdBlock plus as an add-on to their Mozilla Firefox web-browser!

(these comments brought to you by AdBlock Plus and Mozilla)

"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...

by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 30, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really, though, it’s awesome.

"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...

by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 30, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree.

Thanks “Bam Bam” for introducing me to it.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: The Atlanta Falcons are the only NFL team to never have back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history.

by Cassieper on Sep 30, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs