Still No End In Sight to NFL Network Dispute
IRVING, Tex.--The end of the NFL's dispute with some large cable carriers over distribution of the NFL Network still is nowhere in sight.
The NFL would like the Federal Communications Commission to force the parties into binding arbitration, but the FCC took no action on the matter during its meeting this week.
It remains unclear if the FCC will take up the issue at a later time.
The highly attractive Cowboys-Packers game here tonight is being carried by the NFL Network, the league-owned television channel that is in only about 35 million U.S. households. The league has been embroiled in a dispute with Comcast, Time Warner and other cable companies. The NFL wants the channel carried on basic or digital basic cable, while the companies want it on a sports tier that requires an additional fee to customers.
By Mark Maske |
November 29, 2007; 5:57 PM ET
| Category:
Television
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Posted by: Steve | November 29, 2007 7:00 PM
Looks like both the NFL's and Comcast's Grinches are alive and well this holiday season. NFL should stick to Football and leave the the broadcast to the Networks. As for comcast, I think need to put the horse racing channel in their pay perview HD line up and give me the NFL network. I hear verizon has it for free. Maybe we should all go over there.
Posted by: GarbageMan | November 29, 2007 9:01 PM
The NFL can do whatever they want with their games. If you want to watch, get DirecTV or go to a bar with NFL Network.
Wanna watch the Saints game on Sunday but it's out of market???? Do I hear any whining on that one?? No - get the package on DirecTV or go to a bar that has it.
This is ridiculous.
Posted by: marksman | November 29, 2007 9:49 PM
Agreed Marksman. The NFL wants the Cable providers to pay $.70 per household that carries the network. They say fine, but let us add it to the "Sports Pack" that costs $12, but somehow it is the NFL being greedy.
The NFL wants you to have the Network for free and probably wouldn't object to the passing on of the .70 cost.
Posted by: Keino | November 30, 2007 12:33 PM
Wake up Steve and get satellite, its cheaper and better...by far. I watched the game at home last night on HD and it was GREAT! I hate the cable companies, they stole my money for too many years with crappy service to boot...never again!
Posted by: Radar | November 30, 2007 1:50 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
This is a disgrace on the part of the NFL. I am angry not with the cable companies but with the NFL. A major market like DC is not going to have the Packers-Cowboys game available to most people. I'm sorry that but I don't accept that this is the cable companies fault. There were at least three games on Sunday available on cable and I watched the Redskin's game on over-the-air HD. NFL wake-up! Some fans see this for what it is: a monopoly play on the part of the NFL. If you make it difficult and more expensive people will find alternative forms of entertainment. Because at the end of the day that is all you are: an entertainment.