NFL Network Files Carriage Complaint against Comcast
NFL says cable operator kept network out of reach by putting it on premium tier
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/6/2008 7:48:00 PM
As promised, the NFL Network has filed a carriage complaint against Comcast.
The NFL's complaint is essentially two-fold. It told the FCC that the cable operator had discriminated against the channel by putting it on a premium digital sports tier for which customers must pay, while carrying its own sports channels on the more widely viewed analog basic tier that costs no extra.
NFL says Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, also dropped the network from its digital basic tier after the league decided not to sell a package of eight regular season games to Comcast (it decided to keep the games and put them on the NFL Net to make that channel more attractive).
"NFL Network’s television ratings and average viewership exceed those of more widely distributed Comcast-owned national sports networks," said the channel in a statement announcing the filing. "This discriminatory treatment of NFL Network is a violation of the 1992 Cable Act.
A Comcast spokesperson had not returned a call at press time, but when the NFL informed Comcast of the planned filing, Comcast's senior director of corporate communications and government affairs, Sena Fitzmaurice, said, "Comcast makes the NFL Network available to all of our customers on a tier of service that the NFL agreed to by contract."
"The NFL has immense power in the marketplace, yet it keeps running to the federal and state governments to try to force changes in the deal it freely accepted in negotiations with Comcast,” she added. “The agreement we have to carry the NFL Network is pro-consumer. It allows us to place this expensive channel on a tier of service for those who wish to pay for it, not on a tier where everyone must pay for it."
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Comcast has become an ugly octopus as it's tentacles have reached to far into the pockets of viewers that enjoy the NFL. Cable television is a legitimate racket that needs to be contained and controlled by the F.C.C. which is not doing their job in the best interest of the N.F.L.or the general public where it's fan base originated-The removal of the Thursday night is a slap in the face to the common viewer that does not reside on the top of the hill-
William T. Smith - 12/11/2008 12:46:00 PM EST -
NFL IS IN THE WRONG IN THE FIRST PLACE. NFL NETWORK IS EXTORTION.
Karl - 11/13/2008 6:41:00 PM EST -
i was reading but didn't see when or what channel are they waiting till after football season to impliment?snag535
snag535 - 10/23/2008 12:18:00 AM EDT -
I'm amazed that Comcast can even stay in business against far superior Directv. Even Dish Network should be giving comcast a run for (what should no longer be) their money. Cable in general, blows. Where I just moved to in the bay area of NorCal, I am stuck with it for now, but it doesnt matter because I spend hard earned money at Ricky's in San Leandro where their ten satellite dishes cover the entire world of sports. Cable will never be able to do that.
Still, NFL Network should be available along with the other basic programming. I guess comcast knows how bad their own channels will be dusted by the greatness of the NFL.
Vince Darrigo - 9/24/2008 1:26:00 AM EDT -
I own a television network myself. I won't disclose my name or the network that I'm starting, because someone from Comcast might be reading this feedback blog and steal my idea like they did once before and came with thier own channel. I fortunate enough that they didn'y perfect it.
John Doe - 7/8/2008 3:05:00 AM EDT
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