Randall Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 NFL Network reviewing counteroffer from TWC NFL.com wire reports NEW YORK (Dec. 13, 2006) -- Time Warner Cable moved closer to reaching a truce with the NFL Network over carrying the Texas Bowl game between Rutgers and Kansas State on Dec. 28. Another New York area cable operator, Cablevision, said Dec. 12 it would carry the Rutgers game after the NFL Network offered both cable companies free carriage for the week of Dec. 24-30. Neither Time Warner nor Cablevision have agreements to carry the network full-time, meaning many Rutgers fans wouldn't be able to watch the matchup at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The NFL Network is available in roughly 40 million of the nation's 111 million homes with televisions in the country, mainly through satellite providers. Time Warner says the network is asking for too much money to carry the network. Time Warner would like to offer the channel on a digital tier, but the NFL Network has declined. Cablevision has also declined the NFL Network's long-term carriage terms so far. Amid the impasse, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told the AP on Dec. 12 the league would offer the network for free to Time Warner and Cablevision from Dec. 24 to 30, which would include the Rutgers game and the Insight Bowl between Minnesota and Texas Tech on Dec. 29. It applies only to systems in the New York area. In a letter to NFL Network president Steve Bornstein, Time Warner Cable's CEO Glenn Britt offered two possibilities: making just the Rutgers game available to all customers on Time Warner's basic tier, or carrying the network all week on a digital tier, which costs extra and is received by about 75 percent of New York City area systems. "That's not our offer and not how free views normally work, but we are reviewing Time Warner's response," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. So they want to offer a free preview on a premium tier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockerbraves Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Hoping the cable companies make a stand and tell the nfl where to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunther Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Time Warner would like to offer the channel on a digital tier, but the NFL Network has declined. I still do not get this, I've seen this mentioned before where the NFL Network wants carriers to only put it in their basic tier... But the only way to get the NFL Network on our Comcast feed is by being subscribed to the digital tier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 I still do not get this, I've seen this mentioned before where the NFL Network wants carriers to only put it in their basic tier... But the only way to get the NFL Network on our Comcast feed is by being subscribed to the digital tier. The NFL is charging the Cable Companies far more than any channel currently on basic cable...twice to three times as much. But the NFL wants the cable companies to put them on basic because they will reach millions upon millions more viewers & thus can charge potential advertisers far more, than if they were only available on the less viewed upper tiered cable packages. The cable companies are saying for them to make the NFL Network available on basic, they would have to raise the rates of basic to everybody, whether they watch the NFL or not, & they're not gonna do that as consumers are already lobbying congress about the price they're paying as they know they're subsidizing basic cable costs for programming / channels they don't watch. It's all about the benjamins for the NFL & staying away from regulation by the Government eye, for the cable companies. What's weird is that the NFL Network gave Comcast the OK to put them on digital cable & on top of that in a special ad on sports package, here in Atlanta. Not sure why the NFL is Ok with the cable companies doing this in certain markets, but then sticking to their demands of being placed on basic cable, in other markets. I'm sure it revolves around more money for the NFL, but without being privy to their books, I don't know the exact reasoning for the double standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 But the only way to get the NFL Network on our Comcast feed is by being subscribed to the digital tier. +1(cox for me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Here's an article detailing the NFL Network pulling their programming from the nations 3rd largest cable company (Charter) because they wouldn't put them on basic... The NFL Network on Dec. 19 pulled its signal from Charter Communications, the cable company confirmed Tuesday. The NFL Network is a cable channel dedicated to the National Football League and professional football. According to a report Tuesday by trade newsletter CableFAX Daily, the league believes that Charter should move the network "off the digital sports tier because the tier doesn't enjoy deep penetration." stlouis.bizjournals.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 The NFL is charging the Cable Companies far more than any channel currently on basic cable...twice to three times as much. But the NFL wants the cable companies to put them on basic because they will reach millions upon millions more viewers & thus can charge potential advertisers far more, than if they were only available on the less viewed upper tiered cable packages. Do you know this to be true or is it Cable talk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolv Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Wouldn't it be smart business for the NFL Network to offer their service to cable companies at a decent price, then try to raise their rates after consumers are hooked on the service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Do you know this to be true or is it Cable talk? Obviously for me to know if this is 100% true, I would've had to of been in the mettings for the pricing negotiations between the NFL Network - Time Warner, Comcast & Charter. Since I wasn't at those various meetings...no...I don't know if it's 100% true. Howver, this has been reported in the Wall Street Journal & run many times by the AP also appearing in the USA Today. In fact, it was reported that when the NFL Network started showing the Thursday Night Games, they upped the rates for those games. Not ONCE has the NFL Network disputed any of the stories of their pricing structure & you know if it was just BS by the cable companies, they would've. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy n Dirty Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 The NFL is charging the Cable Companies far more than any channel currently on basic cable...twice to three times as much. But the NFL wants the cable companies to put them on basic because they will reach millions upon millions more viewers & thus can charge potential advertisers far more, than if they were only available on the less viewed upper tiered cable packages. The cable companies are saying for them to make the NFL Network available on basic, they would have to raise the rates of basic to everybody, whether they watch the NFL or not, & they're not gonna do that as consumers are already lobbying congress about the price they're paying as they know they're subsidizing basic cable costs for programming / channels they don't watch. It's all about the benjamins for the NFL & staying away from regulation by the Government eye, for the cable companies. What's weird is that the NFL Network gave Comcast the OK to put them on digital cable & on top of that in a special ad on sports package, here in Atlanta. Not sure why the NFL is Ok with the cable companies doing this in certain markets, but then sticking to their demands of being placed on basic cable, in other markets. I'm sure it revolves around more money for the NFL, but without being privy to their books, I don't know the exact reasoning for the double standard. Roughly true. I work for one of the cable companies that currently is not carrying the NFL Network - the amount the NFL Network is asking would make them the 4th most expensive channel on our basic tier, not the most expensive. It's an outrageous asking price for what is essentially a niche service, and doesn't even amount to a starting point to begin negotiations. But it is far from the most expensive - we pay about five times as much for ESPN, which is a basic tier service, and more than twice as much for Disney...I think. I don't work specifically in this area of the business. I'm also confused as to why Comcast is OK carrying them only on digital. certainly Comcast has more clout than the other cable companies because they dwarf everyone else in terms of number of subscribers - but Time Warner is pretty damn big too, and it appears they are not being afforded the same option, whereas someone earlier in this thread said they get NFL Network on Cox, but only on digital. It really doesn't make sense, makes me thing I'm missing a peice of the story here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy n Dirty Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Obviously for me to know if this is 100% true, I would've had to of been in the mettings for the pricing negotiations between the NFL Network - Time Warner, Comcast & Charter. Since I wasn't at those various meetings...no...I don't know if it's 100% true. Howver, this has been reported in the Wall Street Journal & run many times by the AP also appearing in the USA Today. In fact, it was reported that when the NFL Network started showing the Thursday Night Games, they upped the rates for those games. Not ONCE has the NFL Network disputed any of the stories of their pricing structure & you know if it was just BS by the cable companies, they would've. I assure you that there is no way the NFL Network is asking for ESPN-type rates. ESPN is far and away the most expensive network out there, and they are always carried on basic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 I assure you that there is no way the NFL Network is asking for ESPN-type rates. ESPN is far and away the most expensive network out there, and they are always carried on basic. When ESPN started out, they were dirt cheap. As their popularity grew, so did their rates. NFL Network is not content to do that. They want top rates NOW instead of doing as this wise poster mentioned... Wouldn't it be smart business for the NFL Network to offer their service to cable companies at a decent price, then try to raise their rates after consumers are hooked on the service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 I'm also confused as to why Comcast is OK carrying them only on digital. certainly Comcast has more clout than the other cable companies because they dwarf everyone else in terms of number of subscribers - but Time Warner is pretty damn big too, and it appears they are not being afforded the same option, whereas someone earlier in this thread said they get NFL Network on Cox, but only on digital. It really doesn't make sense, makes me thing I'm missing a peice of the story here. NFL Network is not available to ALL Comcast customers. Only the Comcast markets where the NFL Network has allowed them to put them on digital cable & in a sports package. The markets Comcast is in & the NFL Network is demanding they be on basic cable, thos Comcast customers are SOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFreak Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Typical NFL bully ball. I'm not pleased at all the way they have launched these NFL games on their network only to be available to less than half of households. What kind of crap is that?? They should come in cheap and then raise rates on the cable companies gradually who would then raise rates on it's customers. That would at least give us the option to pony up or not. I'm on the side of the cable companies with this one although they are scumbags also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 Obviously for me to know if this is 100% true, I would've had to of been in the mettings for the pricing negotiations between the NFL Network - Time Warner, Comcast & Charter. Since I wasn't at those various meetings...no...I don't know if it's 100% true. Howver, this has been reported in the Wall Street Journal & run many times by the AP also appearing in the USA Today. In fact, it was reported that when the NFL Network started showing the Thursday Night Games, they upped the rates for those games. Not ONCE has the NFL Network disputed any of the stories of their pricing structure & you know if it was just BS by the cable companies, they would've. That sounds credible then. It's just cable companies BS so much. If they pay more why not put it on a slightly higher tier such as expanded basic. Putting it on a much higher price tier is not good for their customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 That sounds credible then. It's just cable companies BS so much. If they pay more why not put it on a slightly higher tier such as expanded basic. Putting it on a much higher price tier is not good for their customers. Because the NFL Network won't let them in some cases. NFL Network is DEMANDING the cable companies put them on basic cable, or they won't let the cable companies have their product at all, depending on where & what the particular market is. See the link I provided where they pulled out from Charter altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 Because the NFL Network won't let them in some cases. NFL Network is DEMANDING the cable companies put them on basic cable, or they won't let the cable companies have their product at all, depending on where & what the particular market is. See the link I provided where they pulled out from Charter altogether. From the Milm. Jopurnal. The cable companies, no slouches when it comes to high-pressure lobbying, aren't buying the NFL's end run. Customers want choice, they say. And cable consumers shouldn't have to pay an extra 70 cents each for the network. As bad as cable companies have been in many markets with their monopolies they can pay it. They want to make people pay for sports channels instead many don't want. I think I like the NFL a little better inb this, but don't really like either side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 And cable consumers shouldn't have to pay an extra 70 cents each for the network. As bad as cable companies have been in many markets with their monopolies they can pay it. That's a ridiculous business proposition. .70 x population of New York = $13,283,519.90 That's just the state of New York. No way the cable companies subsidize the NFL's greed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted December 15, 2006 Author Share Posted December 15, 2006 That's a ridiculous business proposition. .70 x population of New York = $13,283,519.90 That's just the state of New York. No way the cable companies subsidize the NFL's greed. I'm sorry there is no way I will support cable companies. I have been screwed and lied to too many times by them. The best thing I ever did was tell them to stop ripping me off and get Directv. So raise rates 70 cents or drop a useless channel or two no one ever watches. They do it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 What is really sad about this whole thing is that Lamar Hunt was in the hospital on Thanksgiving this year. He could not even see the Denver/Kansas City game that night because it was on the NFL Network. This is a man who petitioned the league for years to allow another team to play on Thanksgiving Day (besides Dallas and Detroit), and when the league relents, and awards it to his team, he cannot even watch it. Sorry Gordon Gekko...greed is NOT good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted December 15, 2006 Author Share Posted December 15, 2006 What is really sad about this whole thing is that Lamar Hunt was in the hospital on Thanksgiving this year. He could not even see the Denver/Kansas City game that night because it was on the NFL Network. This is a man who petitioned the league for years to allow another team to play on Thanksgiving Day (besides Dallas and Detroit), and when the league relents, and awards it to his team, he cannot even watch it. Sorry Gordon Gekko...greed is NOT good. That sucks. For people who don't get the network they should put it on regular TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantsfan Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Normally I am way against the cable companies but this time I truly think the NFL is being ricdiculous. They want TOP level money for a niche channel which hasn't even established itself yet (not that it won't do great). But what about in March thru July or August. If I had the channel I'd watch combined 1 hour through those 5 or 6 months. I think next season they will work out a deal somehow. The NFL comes down a little and the CC's give in a little as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 I'm sorry there is no way I will support cable companies. I have been screwed and lied to too many times by them. The best thing I ever did was tell them to stop ripping me off and get Directv. So raise rates 70 cents or drop a useless channel or two no one ever watches. They do it all the time. Don't get me wrong Randall. I dislike my areas Cable company (Comcast) as much as the next guy, but what you're suggesting won't fly. Cable companies raising the rates on basic cable just for NFL Network, wouldn't work. Cable companies are already being eyed by Congress for forcing unwanted channels on the public in the basic package & it's getting close to the industry as a whole being, re-regulated. Even though I guarantee there's not one single person here at the Huddle, who would bat an eye at an additional .70 per month on their bill for the NFL Network, there are a ton of people who could give a rats rear end about the NFL & would scream to high heaven about being forced to pay for yet another unwanted channel. No way the cable companies are going to risk going back to being Federally regulated, just to satisfy the NFL Network. Expecting the Cable companies to cover the cost for the NFL Network is equally unrealistic. No business is ever going to take millions upon millions of dollars in losses, to subsidize another businesses greed. Just not gonna happen. The way I see it, either the NFL Network comes down on their program pricing, or if they're determined to stick with charging top 5 money for their niche channel, they'll have to allow the cable companies to slot them appropriately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Props to you guys for explaining this situation very clearly. I've been wondering what in the world has been going on with these two entities, and this pretty much brings the whole mess into focus. It's an unsettling and creepy feeling being on the side of the cable companies (whom I despise, and rely upon) on this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 What is really sad about this whole thing is that Lamar Hunt was in the hospital on Thanksgiving this year. He could not even see the Denver/Kansas City game that night because it was on the NFL Network. This is a man who petitioned the league for years to allow another team to play on Thanksgiving Day (besides Dallas and Detroit), and when the league relents, and awards it to his team, he cannot even watch it. Sorry Gordon Gekko...greed is NOT good. That is surprising. I thought that Hunt lived in KC. All Thurs night games are available in local markets. The KC game was available on a local KC channel (for those that don't get NFL Network). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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