The NFL Network has been playing hardball with cable operators Comcast and Time Warner for months, demanding the carriers pick up the network at the rate of 70 cents per subscriber. The network, which offers football programming 24/7/365, seemed to have leveraged the situation to their advantage perfectly, until the dreaded “C” word popped up.
Yes, that “C” word: Congress.
This past Wednesday, Dec. 19, Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Senator Arlen Specter, R-Pa sent a letter to the NFL, which probably fell front and center on the desk of Commissioner Roger Goodell. The letter threatens:
"Now that the NFL is adopting strategies to limit distribution of game programming to their own networks, Congress may need to reexamine the need and desirability of their continued exemption from the Nation's antitrust laws."
Ouch, that’s a punch right in the gut. I wonder how Roger reacted after reading that one. I’m sure he doesn’t have enough already to deal with, considering Mike Vick, Pacman Jones, and the tragic murder of Sean Taylor just weeks ago. A date with the United States Congress, however, is not something Roger Goodell wants to deal with. Just ask Major League Baseball how things have been going ever since Mark McGwire went up to Capitol Hill to testify about steroid use.
So with the ball placed in the NFL’s court, the league had to react. They had to at least give the appearance of trying to find a solution. So Goodell fired off a letter to Time Warner CEO Glenn Britt offering access to the NFL Network immediately in exchange for binding arbitration with the cable operator. The response from Britt:
"As I'm sure you are aware, over the years we've been able to successfully reach agreements with hundreds of programming networks without the use of arbitration," he wrote. "We continue to believe that the best way to achieve results is to privately seek a resolution and not attempt to negotiate through the press or elected officials."
Article comments
1 - Being used
Patrick Leahy and Arlen Specter receive large sums of money from Tine Warner and Comcast and have to give the apperance they care. Do some reserch and see how many of the channels on Basic cable are owned by the cable companies. How many shopping networks do I need. How many channels of programming in languages I don't understand. The NFL network is not without fault in this but at least they have a product that is one of the top rated on tv and most people would like to see. If the Cable companies weren't monopolies in the areas they service this would not be an issue.
2 - Bob Hale
"...So with the ball placed in the NFL’s court,..."
Ummm, isn't that mixing sport-aphors a tad too much? Ball in NFL's COURT??? "In the NFL's red zone.." maybe; or, how about, " in the NFL's end of the field.."..or anything "football-ish"? But, "court"?
Doesn't work.
B. Hale
3 - Larry
It's a shame that an abomination such as the NFL "Network" come along and is keeping me from viewing a regional game?? - how can it be called a network - I know of no local affiliate in my area! - Is the idea of free television and sports viewership going the way of analog tv? Whatever happened to being able to turn on the tube and watching my regional team, (The Patriots), make history by possibly going undefeated??
I think congress should step in like they are with analog television and making digital manditory by 2009 - its being done to make the quality of television better for the viewer - so step in here and make television better for the viewer in this matter already!!!! -- Bye NFL "NOTWORK" - we dont need your- LACK OF BROADCASTING!!
4 - Aaon
Bob-Sorry my "ball in your court" offended you so, but after reviewing your alternatives, I still like mine best :)
Update: Patriots win today, look for lots of scrabling by all of the forces that be to get the game on Time Warner and Comcast. I expect some sort of "goodwill compromise" will come out for "the fans" by next weekend...
5 - George M.
Believe me I'm far from a fan of them, but I support the cable companies 100% in this instance.I am currently a Comcast cable subcriber and I don't want to pay extra for this NFL network. If you want the network than I suggest you buck up and pay the extra premium for the sports package. I have no desire to subsidize your football viewing...I don't think we need another welfare system. If you want the NFL network than pay for it yourself and stop trying to get others to pay for it for you.