NFL Network, Comcast say deal in works
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
May 1, 2009
Well, no one said that it would be easy. But I am very happy to report that NFL Network and Comcast are working on a long-term agreement. Things began to get done about six hours before the network was scheduled to leave the cable company.
Yesterday both sides told me that they had not changed their positions. They issued a joint statement on Thursday:
“Comcast and the NFL are engaged in productive discussions toward a new agreement for NFL Network carriage on Comcast. NFL Network will continue to be carried on Comcast systems past tonight’s scheduled expiration of the current contract while both sides continue these productive discussions. We are both working to find a solution that works for NFL fans and Comcast’s customers.
NFL Network and Comcast have been locked in a battle over where the network would be placed in the cable lineup. Comcast wants to keep it on the sports package part of a pay tier. Meanwhile, NFL Network wanted to be moved to the more-accessible expanded digital tier.
As talks continue, Comcast will carry NFL Network on the Sports Package until a new agreement can be reached.
I applaud both sides for coming together in the interest of the fans while they continue to work on a long-term deal.
Both sides have had valid points. NFL Network has some wonderful programming like the Steve Sabol-produced NFL Films specials and their condensed games are well worth being on with Versus and the Golf Channel. Meanwhile, we all want lower cable bills and so we also understand that it has to be at the right price.
Both Steve Bornstein, president & CEO of NFL Network, and David L. Cohen, the executive vice president of the Comcast Corporation, are very bright men. I have had a number of conversations with both and I have no doubt that they will solve this deal now that they are at the table.
So there will be a happy ending to this story after all. I will be the first to say that I was wrong when I said that these two would not work this out before the May 1 deadline. But covering these guys always keeps me on my toes.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
