Comcast and the NFL Network reach a long term deal
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
May 19, 2009
The cable giant also adds ESPNU and ESPN360
It has been a busy day for Comcast. First they announced a deal with the NFL Network, and then came the news that they were adding ESPNU and the very popular broadband offering ESPN360.
Let’s start with the NFL Network deal ...
The relaunch on the network of the NFL Network on Comcast will happen on Aug. 1 and they will offer the channel on the Digital Classic service. That means the NFL network will go from being available in around 10 million cable homes to about 40 million putting it just about on par with the MLB Network.
This is great news for football fans who have wanted more access to the NFL Network.
Coming to this agreement meant very high level conversations between NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts with the two sides working hard to come to a resolution that both sides could live with.
“We are delighted to have come to an agreement with the NFL,” said Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. “Our goal has always been to provide our digital customers with access to the NFL’s unique content and, working together, we have struck the right balance between value and distribution on a variety of viewing platforms. We are looking forward to bringing the NFL’s programming to our customers just in time for the start of the NFL season.”
“We are very pleased that NFL Network and other NFL content will be widely distributed in millions of more homes on Comcast’s service,” said National Football League Commissioner Goodell. “We look forward to having NFL Network’s coverage of training camps and the preseason showcased this summer on Comcast. NFL Network is the only TV channel devoted exclusively to football 24/7, 365 days a year.”
The carriage agreement consists of a broad array of video content, including the live (24/7) NFL Network, video on demand for Comcast’s Digital Classic cable customers, and the ability to offer the NFL’s RedZone Channel when it is created.
Both sides will drop the court action that they are presently involved with and also their FCC battle.
Now the ESPNU and ESPN360 announcement…
Comcast will launch ESPNU and ESPN360 which is great news for area college lacrosse fans as college sports in general. The addition on ESPN360 is a huge plus for broadband fans who will now be able to access the best high-speed product on the market. It is a huge boost for soccer fans and tennis fans alike.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
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