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NFL's new RedZone channel won't be seen by most

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 16th 2009 at 11:57AM

NFL Redzone channel
We love the NFL in HD, and have often wondered why we've paid $300 for the NFL Sunday Ticket in HD, and then spend 90 percent of the time watching the RedZone Channel. So you can imagine how excited we were to hear that thanks to the NFL renegotiating its contracts with DirecTV, Fox and CBS; that the RedZone channel would be available to every provider in the US instead of just to DirecTV Sunday Ticket subscribers. But the more we learn about the new channel, the more annoyed we felt. There is just something fundamentally wrong about a full time cable channel that only broadcasts 119 hours out of the 8760 hours a year. This is especially true when you realize that this is the very same 119 hours a year when the existing NFL Network broadcasts almost nothing at all. There simply is no other reason then pure greed to have two separate NFL channels. So as much as we'd love to enjoy this channel during the season, we completely respect all the providers out there refusing to sign a carriage deal -- Comcast is the only one that wil carry it at the moment -- at least until the two channels are combined, and then the programming can't get here soon enough.

Every single preseason game will be on the NFL Network in HD

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 16th 2009 at 9:39AM

NFL NetworkYou read that right, starting in just a few weeks all 65 NFL preseason games this year will be presented in HD on the NFL Network. That is music to any NFL fan's ears and something we only wish we could get during the regular season. Of course the preseason is a whole different ball game, because unlike the regular season, most games don't air at the same time and are produced by local affiliates all around the country instead of by four national networks. We can only assume that because of the fact that all but twelve of these are re-broadcasts, that the live presentations in your local market will be in HD as well, but we'll have to wait and see. Speaking of waiting, we're still waiting to hear if this will be the first NFL season without a single SD game -- an HD snob can dream can't he?

NFL & Comcast reach agreement: NFL Network switches to digital classic by August 1

by Richard Lawler posted May 19th 2009 at 12:34PM


Forget all the fights and accusations, the NFL Network and Comcast have reached an agreement that will see the channel moved from the sports tier to its Digital Classic level by August 1, available to almost 2/3 of the company's subscribers. Also coming to cable bound NFL fans? Video on-demand content and Comcast will have the "ability" to offer the no longer exclusive NFL Redzone Channel when it launches. No word on what this means for any other operators but we wouldn't be surprised if this deal is just the first of several providing wider access to NFL Network. Now, just to see how much our cable bill jumps in the fall to know the real cost of this addition.

NFL Network & Comcast could be close to a deal, moving channel to digital basic

by Richard Lawler posted May 17th 2009 at 9:23PM


Not that we usually put much stock in Peter King's NFL rumors, but word is the NFL Network and Comcast are close to working out a deal that will put the channel right where the NFL wanted it all along, on the regular digital cable package instead of the added-price sports tier. Since the channel didn't disappear May 1 as threatened, it would seem an agreement on pricing has been reached and according to King things were nearly finished on Thursday and Friday but the two have been hammering out final details even today. We'll see if this really happens, and not a moment too soon negotiations also under way with Fox, CBS and NBC and labor talks due to get under way with the Players Association.

NFL Network remaining on Comcast, for the time being

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 30th 2009 at 10:08PM


As you already know, the NFL Network's contract with Comcast expires tonight, and while the two fight it out over where the channel belongs, on basic cable or a sports tier, it's been threatening to leave the cable company's lineup altogether. Not quite at the 11th hour however, comes word from the Comcast Voices blog that the two are still trying to work things our and due to currently "productive discussions" NFL Network will stay on Comcast systems for now. It'll still be some time be some time before their court case has a ruling, but we're sure your voice on the matter has already been heard.

Poll: Who is right in the NFL Network / Comcast battle?

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 18th 2009 at 12:00PM


The hearing is over and both sides have presented their cases to the judge, but it could be up to a month before there's a ruling on the NFL Network vs. Comcast case, and with the channel due to disappear in just a few more days we're leaving the decision up to you. Who do you roll with, the sports channel arguing the cable giant won't open up its lucrative massive subscriber base while keeping them tied to its own useless channels, or the cable company protesting too high subscriber fees for a niche product? Submit your amius briefs in the comments.

Who do you side with, NFL Network or Comcast?

DISH & NFL work out a new multiyear agreement

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 12th 2009 at 11:24AM


Things haven't all been sweet between DISH Network and NFL Network, wrangling over details of their agreement since '06, but a new deal should keep the channel on the Classic Silver 200 package for years to come. Combined with DirecTV's new Sunday Ticket deal satellite dish owning football fans can rest easy, but it still looks like Comcast subs will be sweating it out 'til the end of the month.

[Via USA Today]

NFL Network, Comcast slapfight could see channel yanked May 1

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 9th 2009 at 4:31PM


This Hatfield & McCoy-like dispute has been going on for years now and it might be ready to come to a head. In case you haven't seen the ads, the NFL Network could leave Comcast altogether May 1. As always, the NFL wants to be on the basic tier in every subscriber's house alongside ESPN and, less popular, Comcast owned channels, and Comcast wants to keep it on the sports tier, where only those willing to shell out extra will see what it claims is the 4th most expensive channel it has. We like the NFL, but we also hate higher basic cable bills for stuff not everyone wants to watch. Of course, an 11th hour reprieve is always possible -- see Viacom, Big Ten Network and more, but next month Comcast subs may have to choose which large, greedy corporation they love more.

Read - NFL, not Comcast, is behind dispute over NFL Network
Read - I Want NFL Network

NFL Network launches HD information screen to jazz up SD material

by Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2008 at 7:45AM


At this point, it's really tough to imagine NFL in SD. That being said, some of the material that airs on NFL Network is still in standard-def, but the network is making strides to pretty it up a bit before it goes all-HD next year. Starting today, the channel has launched its new HD information screen on NFL Network HD, which "appears on [the] network when there is standard-definition programming on the air and displays all the latest NFL scores, standings and injury reports." Also of note, a spokesman for the channel pinged us to say that NFL Network is "currently in the process of migrating to 100% HD programming by sometime in 2009," which ought to send chills down the spines of all you NFL junkies looking for even more of your favorite sport in high-def. Now, if we could all just stop talking about that Brett fellow, everything would be cool.

The FCC agrees that Comcast discriminated against the NFL Network

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 11th 2008 at 4:24PM

NFL Network vs Comcast
Where you stand on the NFL Network vs Comcast dispute more than likely depends on how much you enjoy sports programming; but no matter how valuable the channel is to you, The NFL Network has a point. The FCC recently agreed that is discriminatory for Comcast to put the NFL Network on a sports tier when at the same time Comcast owned sports networks get to be included on the most valuable basic tiers. We love sports, but we also don't mind paying for them, so we wonder why all the dedicated 24 hour sports networks aren't all on the same tier. Of course all of this will be for naught if the rumors about ESPN and the NFL getting together are true.

Verizon and the NFL get serious about interactive television

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 16th 2008 at 3:57PM

NFL NetworkWhen the dream of interactive television was sold to us, it was envisioned that it would be in the form of something on the TV, but honestly we really like HD video on our TV set and definitely don't want some generic looking graphics gumming it up. Luckily the trends have been more up our alley and fit perfect into our lifestyle -- which is having a coffee tables laptop instead of some cheesy book. In order to access the new features like; multiple camera angles (or all four at the same time), live chat room, on demand replays, and the usual live stats and drive charts, during games on the NFL Network, you'll need to be a Verizon customer (Internet, TV, or DirecTV via Vz). So even if the Pats v' Bucs match up wasn't enough to draw you in this Sunday, these new features alone may make it worth your while to check out.

ESPN and NFL Network, working on a deal

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jun 21st 2008 at 6:14PM

NFL NetworkThe NFL Network's strategy to gain carriage on the biggest cable company's most popular tiers, caused quite a ruckus last year when many subscribers almost missed the biggest game of the year, in what ended up being a reverse preview of the Super Bowl -- and a perfect setup for the biggest choke in NFL history. It appears now that with some help from ESPN, we may not be in store for a repeat this year. Although no details have been revealed, it is being reported -- by the journal that require a subscription -- that the four letter network is in talks that may lead to it helping resolve the fledgling network with its struggles to obtain carriage.

Bermuda's CableVision adds CNN HD and NFL Network HD

by Darren Murph posted May 3rd 2008 at 10:12PM

One may assume that Bermuda residents / visitors wouldn't even care to spend a spare moment inside watching the tube when the weather outside is so lovely. Said person obviously hasn't heard of Thursday night football on the NFL Network. Starting this month, Bermuda's CableVision has tossed in two new HD networks -- CNN HD (400) and NFL Network HD (407) -- which brings the grand total on the carrier to ten. It also noted that the HD surcharge will remain the same at $12 per month. If you haven't found a way to blow that incoming stimulus check (and you've got a thing for travel), um, here's your sign.

Commissioner insists that NFL Network will be "a success"

by Darren Murph posted May 2nd 2008 at 8:03PM


It's no secret: the NFL Network isn't in nearly as many homes as the league had hoped when it launched in 2003. As it stands, the channel has only wiggled into 10 million abodes, whereas the NFL was estimating 32 million. At the network's third annual "upfront" presentation, commissioner Roger Goodell looked media buyers and advertisers in the eye and stated that it would "make the NFL Network a success." Not surprisingly, the biggest obstacle here is distribution, but it seems the league is adamant to find ways to broaden the channel's audience. We suppose the battles will live on, eh?

NFL Network coming to IP-PRIME IPTV

by Darren Murph posted Apr 26th 2008 at 3:18PM

IPTV providers relying on SES Americom's IP-PRIME service could soon have some excellent news for their customers, as the aforementioned firm has just landed a deal with NFL Network. Just days after announcing that it was bringing HD service to a solid dozen telcos, the outfit is now able to bring NFL Network to its customers. Interestingly, the release doesn't specifically mention carrying SD and / or HD feeds, but hopefully the latter will indeed be made available. It is noted that the station is now accessible by all IP-PRIME operators throughout the US, but each operator will still have to sign "individual carriage deals with NFL Network in order to offer the channel to their subscribers." Oh, goodie.




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