Jim Williams » Will Comcast drop the NFL Network?
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
March 25, 2009
It is getting hot and heavy between Comcast and the NFL Network. Things are so bad that the cable giant could drop the network all together. Many subscribers have seen the messages on screens saying that if the issue is not resolved by May 1, then they (Comcast) will have to stop airing the network.
This could spell trouble for the already embattled NFL Network.
“We have offered to carry the NFL Network under the terms of our current affiliation agreement while the litigation that the NFL brought against Comcast continues, but the NFL has not accepted our offer,” said John Demming, Comcast’s Director of Corporate Communications.
“We believe our proposed extension is in the best interest of our customers and NFL fans so that they can continue to have the same access to the Network that they now enjoy. Because the NFL has not accepted our offer, we are required by regulations to notify our customers of the possibility that the NFL may terminate Comcast’s right to carry the Network.”
The NFL responded to my inquiry by e-mail.
“Comcast refuses to sit down and reach an agreement with NFL Network on a contract extension that would make the Network more widely available to a larger number of subscribers on its cable systems without the extra monthly fee that Comcast now sets and collects,” the league said via e-mail.
“Comcast had carried NFL Network to a larger number of homes without the extra fee during the first three years of our agreement. We have more than a month to negotiate with Comcast and reach a new agreement similar to the contracts NFL Network has with more than 300 other cable operators, Telco and satellite companies. We hope that Comcast will act responsibly, negotiate with us and keep the best interests of the fans in mind.”
This is a showdown that both sides need to resolve. At the end of the day they need each other and need to learn to work with each other. Comcast controls the most homes of any cable provider and the NFL Network is run by the nation’s most popular TV sport. They have a little over a month to make it work and let’s hope that they do.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on dcexaminer.com.
