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

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.

[(Unverified) Posted May 17th 2009 11:37PM]

Great, a crap channel I could care less about being forced on everyone and another excuse to raise rates even higher.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 4:10AM]

You know I don't like paying for SoapNet on my digital cable subscription yet somehow I do just so I can have access to channels I do care about. Too bad the cable companies are too afraid of ala cart. I for one would totally love that so I would only pay for what I want... which yes includes NFL Network.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 12:50AM]

I agree. This channel belongs in a sports tier

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 3:03AM]

this is NOT a mandatory channel, The NFL is ridiculous for forcing it on people, just adds to cable bill. that said I get football package on Directv, just dont like being forced to it.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 6:11AM]

The article is exactly right. NFL Network wanted to be on a basic ANALOG tier. This seems to be splitting the difference and right where I figured it would end up.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 8:56AM]

I want it, but I don't want to pay extra for it. Fine by me.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 9:16AM]

Any word on movement with other carriers? Like Time Warner Cable?

I left DirecTV to go to TWC, because of the way D* treated TiVo. I wanted a real TiVo again. The only channel I lost in that move that I cared about was NFL Network.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 10:10AM]

The NFL channel is terrible. Why have a whole new channel for 5 games a year?

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 10:17AM]

Actually its six games a year. Plus NFL Network carries all the preseason games on tape delay which is handy for your teams out of your market (Patriots fan here). Also I enjoy Total Access for news around the league along with the number of other programs they run year round as well. Heck their coverage of the draft was far better than the joke coverage that was on ESPN. So to me the channel is worth having.

[(Unverified) Posted May 18th 2009 5:28PM]

If Comcast, FIOS, and the other cable companies can shove MLB Network on digital basic without anyone complaining, those that complain about NFLN have no case. NFLN carries EIGHT games, even some that actually mean something, while MLBN offers a lame Saturday night game and a lame Thursday night game every week. Those MLBN games further dilute the product by putting EVEN MORE games on national TV and we have NO CHOICE but to have the channel. NFLN had no problem being on a digital basic or expanded tier, so give them a shot.