NFL Network may be Dropped

[steveo395]

NFL | NFL Network being dropped
Fri, 28 Jul 2006 06:24:07 -0700

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl


The Buffalo News reports the NFL Network very likely will be thrown for a loss Tuesday, Aug. 1, locally and nationally when it is expected to be dropped from the cable lineup after Adelphia's long-awaited takeover by Time Warner is completed. Buffalo, Dallas and Cleveland are the three NFL markets that had been getting The NFL Network and will lose it in the Adelphia-Time Warner deal, according to an NFL Network spokesman. "We pleaded to be left on while we continue to negotiate," e-mailed the spokesman, "especially since the first of 52 preseason games and 12 inside training camp shows begin, but Time Warner refused." As noted previously, the NFL Network plans to launch its own marketing campaign to let viewers understand their options, including satellite providers Dish Network and DirecTV on their "most affordable, basic packages."

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Yeah, Brighthouse here in FL and Time warner are all in agreement, they want to offer this to their customer for an additional fee like Dishs do, but the NFL said No. So these Cable companies won't offer it. As you know it's all about the DOUGH!!!

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NFL Not-work

Last week NFL Network suits said the first game of their new eight-game, prime time, regular-season package will be a matchup between Denver and Kansas City (November 23).

Will anyone be able to watch it?

While NFL Network brass has made a lot of noise about the new package, even fueling speculation over who might be behind the microphones, major cable operators - like Cablevision and Time Warner Cable - are saying that even with the games, chances are they won't be carrying the NFL Network in 2006.

According to these sources, if NFL owners think they are going to force these games down the cable industry's throat it will be the owners who end up gagging on them.

Well-embedded cable moles say there are a few reasons why the cable industry - at the present time - wants nothing to do with the NFL Network. One reason is about channel position. NFL Network brass wants the network to be carried on "expanded basic." Cable operators told them the network belongs on a digital sports tier where subscribers would pay a premium to purchase the NFL Network.

Now, with the addition of games, the price has become a major issue. Sources say the NFL Network wants not only to be on "expanded basic," but is looking to charge cable operators around $2 per month, per subscriber. Some cable industry executives say the price is "totally out of line" in relation to the "quality" of games the NFL Network will offer.

Furthermore, hometown fans of teams participating in NFL Network games will be able to see those tilts on an "over-the-air" channel (such as Ch. 9 or Ch. 5 here) in their market. So, if the Giants or Jets wind up playing on the NFL Network, the game would be made available here "over-the-air."

Besides pricing, placement and availability, there is a rocky history between systems like Cablevision, Time Warner and the NFL. This goes back about seven years when the league negotiated an exclusive "NFL Sunday Ticket" package with satellite provider DirecTV.

Cable industry sources said the NFL "promised" them when the deal with DirecTV expired the league would give them a chance to negotiate for the "NFL Sunday Ticket" package.

"That day came and went and they never talked to us," a cable mole said. "That left a sour taste in the industry's mouth."

The NFL Network currently does have a contract with Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, but when the NFL Network acquired the package of games, it triggered a clause allowing the NFL to re-open the contract. Now, if NFL Network brass looks to drastically raise the price it was charging Comcast per month, per subscriber, it may end up being booted off Comcast's systems.

Remember, Comcast, which owns the Outdoor Life Network (OLN), tried purchasing the same package NFL owners eventually gave to their own network. So, at the present time, there is not exactly a love affair going on between Comcast and the NFL.

Or the rest of the cable industry for that matter.

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By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...tm?POE=SPOISVA

The NFL is preparing to launch a $100 million attack ad campaign over the next six months in an attempt to force cable TV operators to carry its NFL Network channel, which will begin airing regular-season games in November.
If the cable providers don't sign up, the NFL will urge consumers to switch to satellite TV operators that carry the channel, NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky says.


The 2½-year-old channel also has basic cable and/or digital distribution deals with at least 75 cable operators, including Comcast, the nation's top cable provider, and reaches 41 million homes. With the NFL Network airing regular-season games beginning Thanksgiving night, the league thinks it has the leverage to force its way into 25 million more homes this season. The TV, radio, print and magazine ads, which will target cable operators by name, could begin as early as next week, Palansky says.

"We think it's asinine that Time Warner (the nation's No. 2 cable provider) carries 12 shopping channels and 50 other channels you don't want — but can't find room for one dedicated to the most popular sport in this country," Palansky says. "We're replacing the kid gloves with bare knuckles."

One ad aimed at Time Warner says, "Don't let Time Warner ruin your football season. You'll miss NFL games if you don't call and demand NFL Network now." Another targeting Cablevision, a provider in metro New York, warns, "Don't let Cablevision shut you out." The ad lists the channel's games and a toll-free number for NFL Network.

Time Warner Cable spokesman Mark Harrad says it "is still having discussions with the NFL Network." Cablevision's Marie Stenberg declined to comment

[gibbsisgod]

this is bad news for time warner. good thing i have direct tv.


DIRECTTV kicks ass!!!

[ArtMonkDrillz]

I hope Comcast digital is planning on keeping it.

[Manusky91]

Whew, you made me nervous for a minute. Good thing for DirecTV. NFL Network is great, I would hate to lose it.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Yes, made me nervous as well. Thank you Dish.

[steveo395]

i have comcast so this blows for me...they better not drop it

[MTK]

'F' Time Warner. I must have dropped 100 emails on them regarding the NFL Network when I had cable with them.

Another reason why DirecTV rocks.

[MTK]

"We think it's asinine that Time Warner (the nation's No. 2 cable provider) carries 12 shopping channels and 50 other channels you don't want — but can't find room for one dedicated to the most popular sport in this country," Palansky says.

This sums it up perfectly

[gibbsisgod]

time warner must think they are untouchable or something. i dont think the nfl as an organization is something another buisness wants to mess with.

[Riggo44]

I'm glad I have DirectTV! It will be pretty lame if they can't work somthing out.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Yes, made me nervous as well. Thank you Dish.

Ditto. Another reason Dish Network is better than cable.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by steveo395

i have comcast so this blows for me...they better not drop it

Simple solution. Drop them.

[Hail2theskins]

wow, this may be the only time ive been happy that i have cox cable... goddamn cox sucks (no pun intended)

[jbcjr14]

DirecTV is the best and I only have it for the football!

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Hail2theskins

wow, this may be the only time ive been happy that i have cox cable... goddamn cox sucks (no pun intended)

You may not be intending a pun, but you have to had known people around here will jump all over you when you say your Cox sucks...

:smashfrea