There was a great deal of action Tuesday that will offer fans a better chance to watch a number of different sports on cable and broadband. Comcast struck a couple of major deals. Let’s look at them one at a time:
The big one was the signing of a long-term deal with the NFL Network, putting the channel on the popular Classic Digital service. That will allow the network to be seen by the vast majority of cable subscribers in the region.
I spoke to both Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell via conference call about the new deal.
“We were able to make this deal, first and foremost, without any additional cost to our customers,” Roberts said. “The NFL Network is a very important content provider and the quality of their product speaks for itself. This deal could not have gotten done without the direct involvement of Commissioner Goodell. He took the lead in getting this deal done and we look forward to working together now and in the future.”
So the new deal will add about eight million new Comcast subscribers into mix, making the NFL Network available to more than 10 million Comcast subscribers.
“It was important for us to get this deal done in the best interest of our fans who love our network,” Goodell said. “I would say that both sides became creative and we worked together using a number of different ways to make this deal become a reality. The real winners here are the fans of the NFL Network because we now reach more of them through the deal we did with Brian and the folks at Comcast.”
Another big addition to the Comcast lineup will be ESPNU — which is music to the ears of college sports fans all along the region. ESPNU has really been the home to college lacrosse and many area colleges showcase their basketball, football and soccer.
However, over the long run, ESPN360 may be the biggest addition of the three. This is the best broadband offering — bar none. First of all, it is free to all Comcast broadband subscribers, and ESPN360 offers everything from top college football and basketball to soccer and cricket.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
