Major TV problem looming immediately for the NFL

[Freelance]

Currently, less than 20 percent of American homes have the NFL Channel. The ongoing battle between the cable companies and the NFL brews on, and there are some looming big TV-ratings grabbers upcoming.

Most notably:

Cowboys-Packers. Possibly a battle for home field in the NFC playoffs?

Patriots-Giants. Possibly an attempt for a perfect 16-0 regular season?

The NFL has employed Jerry Jones to negotiate with the cable companies. He's good at this stuff, but this is short notice to get this done.

[MassNole]

It would seem that if the NFL plays this right, as I am confident Jerry Jones will, they can make the cable companies out to be the bad guys (which they are).

[ifiok25]

I read this in the USA Today this morning. It makes no sense why most of the country doesn't get to see these games (though I will). It's not fair to CBS, NBC, FOX, and ESPN to have games taken away and put on a 5th tier network that has poor football coverage.

[MassNole]

Quote: Originally Posted by ifiok25

I read this in the USA Today this morning. It makes no sense why most of the country doesn't get to see these games (though I will). It's not fair to CBS, NBC, FOX, and ESPN to have games taken away and put on a 5th tier network that has poor football coverage.

No, it makes no sense for Comca$t and the other cable companies to put the NFL Network on their premium packages and charge more.

[Lintyfresh85]

Jones won't defeat Comcast... it's a giant that hates its own customers. Me included.

[snepp]

Quote: Originally Posted by MassNole

It would seem that if the NFL plays this right, as I am confident Jerry Jones will, they can make the cable companies out to be the bad guys (which they are).

I have no love for the cable companies, but it is the NFL that's charging ridiculous fees for a niche network with limited material.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Its up to us fans to call in & complain or threaten to go to satelite.

[MassNole]

The NFL is the biggest pro sports league in America and it knows it, it charges the networks ridiculous money for the right to air its games. The NFL is doing nothing wrong here, the cable companies are. Tell me how it is DirecTV and Dish Network can afford to allow the NFL-N to be part of their basic packages, whereas the larger cable companies cannot? Quite simply put, the cable networks are being greedy and the NFL is much more equipped to win this battle than Comcast.