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Eight games will be on NFL Network next season (1 Viewer)

AB in DC

Footballguy
Per NFL.com

(Jan. 28, 2006) -- NFL Network, the NFL's two-year-old television channel, will begin airing a "run up to the playoffs" package of eight primetime regular-season NFL games starting in the 2006 season, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced.The eight-game package will consist of primetime games airing from Thanksgiving to the end of the regular season on Thursday and/or Saturday nights.The inaugural game of the package is scheduled for Thanksgiving night on Thursday, Nov. 23, as part of a new Thanksgiving Day tripleheader. Games telecast on NFL Network will include pregame and postgame shows."After discussing this new package of games with many potential partners, we decided it would be best presented on our own, high-quality NFL Network, which has developed so rapidly that the time had come to add live regular-season games to the programming," Commissioner Tagliabue said. "In the end, we wanted these games on our network, which is devoted 24/7 to the sport of football, and not on a multi-sport network."NFL Network will make all of its games available on free, over-the-air television in the participating team markets, continuing the NFL's long-standing practice of making all of its games, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, available on free, over-the-air television."The NFL has traditionally been at the forefront of innovation and new technology dating back to starting NFL Films in the ‘60s, and Pete Rozelle and Roone Arledge creating Monday Night Football in 1970," said Commissioner Tagliabue. "With NFL Network, we are creating a fresh, innovative programming package that will complement all of our television partners."NFL Network's new eight-game package was created by shifting Saturday and Sunday games from previous arrangements. In November of 2004, CBS and FOX agreed to extend their packages for six more years. NBC and ESPN last April secured rights for six and eight years, respectively."It was decided after surveying the rapidly evolving media landscape that a year-round channel dedicated to our sport was the best way to continue to develop and serve our fan base," NFL Network President & CEO Steve Bornstein said. "This is an opportune time to present these games ourselves and develop new ways to deliver the game of football at all levels to sports fans."Agreements for all available NFL television packages now are concluded. Following are the rights holders beginning in 2006: * CBS -- AFC package -- Sunday afternoons [1 & 4 p.m. ET] * FOX -- NFC package -- Sunday afternoons [1 & 4 p.m. ET] * NBC -- Primetime broadcast package -- Sunday evenings [8:15 p.m. ET] * ESPN -- Monday Night Football package -- Monday evenings [8:30 p.m. ET] * NFL Network -- Special Late-Season package -- Thursday and/or Saturday evenings [8 p.m. ET] (beginning Thanksgiving) * DirecTV -- Sunday Ticket satellite package [1 & 4 p.m. ET]
 
FF aside, this really really really sucks. ESPNRadio reports that the first NFLNetwork game will be Dallas-Washington on thanksgiving night. i'm guessing this means a 3rd game free-for-all for the late afternoon game - so everyone can stop #####ing about Detroit.

 
:thumbdown: welcome to the next step in pro sports programming...and it's not a good one imo
 
If it doesn't expand beyond this, then I guess it's o.k., but if there are Thursday and Saturday games every week at some point, coaches will certainly get sick of it. It tends to screw with their from Sunday to Sunday routine.....

 
FF aside, this really really really sucks. ESPNRadio reports that the first NFLNetwork game will be Dallas-Washington on thanksgiving night. i'm guessing this means a 3rd game free-for-all for the late afternoon game - so everyone can stop #####ing about Detroit.
This is really going screw up Thanksgiving football for people who travel to relatives and leave in the evening. :thumbdown:
 
I hope I'm wrong, but this is one of those changes that may be looked back upon as the beginning of a new era. Specifically, an era that isn't good for football fans. Years from now, we may list this as the first step towards pay-per-view under league control. It seems unlikely the majority of games will be on a pay-per-view basis for many years, but as the original networks ratings continue to decline, look for more changes from the traditional (and free!) Sunday broadcasts.Again, I hope I'm wrong and/or pay-per-view is far off in the future, but I really don't like this at all.

 
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I hope I'm wrong, but this is one of those changes that may be looked back upon as the beginning of a new era. Specifically, an era that isn't good for football fans. Years from now, we may list this as the first step towards pay-per-view under league control. It seems unlikely the majority of games will be on a pay-per-view basis for many years, but as the original networks ratings continue to decline, look for more changes from the traditional (and free!) Sunday broadcasts.

Again, I hope I'm wrong and/or pay-per-view is far off in the future, but I really don't like this at all.
The NFL isn't that stupid, they should realize its just a children's game that a few lucky souls make living at. The NFL would die if they ade their product pay-per-view.
 
I hope I'm wrong, but this is one of those changes that may be looked back upon as the beginning of a new era. Specifically, an era that isn't good for football fans. Years from now, we may list this as the first step towards pay-per-view under league control. It seems unlikely the majority of games will be on a pay-per-view basis for many years, but as the original networks ratings continue to decline, look for more changes from the traditional (and free!) Sunday broadcasts.

Again, I hope I'm wrong and/or pay-per-view is far off in the future, but I really don't like this at all.
The NFL isn't that stupid, they should realize its just a children's game that a few lucky souls make living at. The NFL would die if they ade their product pay-per-view.
Its a business just like any other business in this country, and the mighty $ will make all the decisions now and in the future.
 
I hope I'm wrong, but this is one of those changes that may be looked back upon as the beginning of a new era. Specifically, an era that isn't good for football fans. Years from now, we may list this as the first step towards pay-per-view under league control. It seems unlikely the majority of games will be on a pay-per-view basis for many years, but as the original networks ratings continue to decline, look for more changes from the traditional (and free!) Sunday broadcasts.

Again, I hope I'm wrong and/or pay-per-view is far off in the future, but I really don't like this at all.
The NFL isn't that stupid, they should realize its just a children's game that a few lucky souls make living at. The NFL would die if they ade their product pay-per-view.
Those of us with Sunday Ticket are already on some type of pay-per-view arnt we? :bag:

 
The NFL isn't that stupid, they should realize its just a children's game that a few lucky souls make living at. The NFL would die if they ade their product pay-per-view.
You dont know much about anything do you. The NFL network is hardly pay-per-view. But, it IS a 'premium' channel with most cable companies/satellite providers.And as long as they gradually phase in live broadcasts on the NFL Network theyll be fine. Not long before playoff games will be on the NFL network. Watch this space.....PS: Look at how soccer is broadcasted in England for a successful model
 
Well better start bugging Time Warner to pony up what the NFL Channel is asking for so they can raise my Cable Bill so I can get my NFL Network.But good news is that they are already in talks with them.. its about time.

 
This is a horrible deal because from what i read they will be shifting the Saturday December CBS & Fox games to the NFL Network and im stuck with Time Warner so i wont be able to see any of them.

 
This is a horrible deal because from what i read they will be shifting the Saturday December CBS & Fox games to the NFL Network and im stuck with Time Warner so i wont be able to see any of them.
True NFL fans should have NFL sunday ticket anyway, and the NFL network is part of Direct TV basic programming
 
Who is going to pay the NFL 10,000,000,000 dollars 8 years from now to televise the games? The NFL network? I don't think so. As long as NBC,ABC,CBS and FOX are viable entertainment channels then that is where we will get our football. When the day comes that free TV is no longer viewed as the best option for ADVERTISERS, then the NFL can look at a move to pay programming. This would include pay-per-view,ESPN,NFL network ect for all their games.I just don't believe we will see that in the next 15 years.

 
This is a horrible deal because from what i read they will be shifting the Saturday December CBS & Fox games to the NFL Network and im stuck with Time Warner so i wont be able to see any of them.
I would just about guarantee that TW will have the NFL network by September.That's why they did this.

The 3rd game on Turkey Day is just gravy.....

 
Who is going to pay the NFL 10,000,000,000 dollars 8 years from now to televise the games?
us football suckers through pay-per-view rights :cry:
 
some one please tell me that dish network will get the NFL network channel. I am looking at my programming and not seeing it.PLEASE...FOR THE SAKE OF GOD!!!

 
It is not on there, and I believe DirecTV has exclusive rights for several more years. Dish Network subscribers just got reamed.DirecTV charges $5 more each month for the same programming I get. That is $60/year difference already. Tack on whatever extra (probably $5-10) per month to get NFL network and it wont take long to get to that $10,000,000,000 figure.

 
It is not on there, and I believe DirecTV has exclusive rights for several more years. Dish Network subscribers just got reamed.

DirecTV charges $5 more each month for the same programming I get. That is $60/year difference already. Tack on whatever extra (probably $5-10) per month to get NFL network and it wont take long to get to that $10,000,000,000 figure.
Huh? WThell are you talking about? DTV doesn't charge extra for the NFL Network. As a matter of fact, its in its Basic lineup. Not even an extended basic like some other providers. What is the "same programming i get" now? Again, its in the basic for DTV.
 
it's really a brilliant move. the average fan can watch on sundays as normal. and the hardcore will be willing to pay for extra days. further tiering to maximize the amount of money the can take. i do wonder how local team games will work. what if the cowboys are playing on saturday? surely they will televise those... perhaps you lose a sunday game?

 
This is a horrible deal because from what i read they will be shifting the Saturday December CBS & Fox games to the NFL Network and im stuck with Time Warner so i wont be able to see any of them.
True NFL fans should have NFL sunday ticket anyway, and the NFL network is part of Direct TV basic programming
I consider myself a "true" NFL fan and I don't look to pay more for NFL Sunday Ticket. I cannot be the only one. As another poster mentioned, this "could" be the event we all look back on as a turning point in the NFL. As much of a fan as I am, and as much as I love it when there is a game on Thursday or Saturday, I still do not want to regularly see the NFL all over the dial all the time. I think about when I used to watch the NBA. I looked forward to the Sunday game of the week. Now, it's on all over and the playoff games don't even begin until 9. There are several other reasons that I do not care about the NBA anymore, but those are a couple of them. There are certainly hints that the NFL is heading down the same path.

 
:thumbdown: Boo. Having the majority of games on a single day is one of the things that makes FF better than fantasy baseball. It's a lot easier to be invested in it for one day a week, IMHO.I'd hate if we ever got to the point where there were football games on 5-7 nights a week. I really think this is why most of the regular-season ratings for MLB, NBA, and NHL are so low. It's hard to care as much 7 days a week as you do for 1.That being said, I'm sure I'll be watching anyway. :P :towelwave: Go Steelers!!
 
it's really a brilliant move. the average fan can watch on sundays as normal. and the hardcore will be willing to pay for extra days. further tiering to maximize the amount of money the can take.

i do wonder how local team games will work. what if the cowboys are playing on saturday? surely they will televise those... perhaps you lose a sunday game?
they said something on the radio yesterday that "Home market" tv will be the same as with SNF on ESPN....I'm not sure how that worked though. I believe there's a rule mandating network broadcasts in home markets though.
 
"After discussing this new package of games with many potential partners, we decided it would be best presented on our own, high-quality NFL Network"A skeptic might read this to mean they couldn't get enough interest to place the games elsewhere. :bag: Is the network even available braodly beyoind DirecTV? I don't think my cable company offers it...though perhaps this is how they force distribution.

 
This is a horrible deal because from what i read they will be shifting the Saturday December CBS & Fox games to the NFL Network and im stuck with Time Warner so i wont be able to see any of them.
True NFL fans should have NFL sunday ticket anyway, and the NFL network is part of Direct TV basic programming
I consider myself a "true" NFL fan and I don't look to pay more for NFL Sunday Ticket. I cannot be the only one. As another poster mentioned, this "could" be the event we all look back on as a turning point in the NFL. As much of a fan as I am, and as much as I love it when there is a game on Thursday or Saturday, I still do not want to regularly see the NFL all over the dial all the time. I think about when I used to watch the NBA. I looked forward to the Sunday game of the week. Now, it's on all over and the playoff games don't even begin until 9. There are several other reasons that I do not care about the NBA anymore, but those are a couple of them. There are certainly hints that the NFL is heading down the same path.
Hey my grandpa said he'd never pay for cable TV either ;)

 
People relax. The NFL Network will be in more homes by next August -- it's common sense.
:goodposting: I don't have it YET, but I'll be ordering it for sure. I'm kind of geeked about it.
 
I'd hate if we ever got to the point where there were football games on 5-7 nights a week.
You and I are very, very different.
haha. I'm guessing a big difference might be marital status and, hence, ability to spend THAT many nights a week watching the games. :D
 
It is not on there, and I believe DirecTV has exclusive rights for several more years. Dish Network subscribers just got reamed.

DirecTV charges $5 more each month for the same programming I get. That is $60/year difference already. Tack on whatever extra (probably $5-10) per month to get NFL network and it wont take long to get to that $10,000,000,000 figure.
Nope Dish Network has the NFL channel. Our cable provider (Charter) just took the NFL network out of their lineup and Dish Network is running a special deal if you sign up with them by the end of January and their pimping the fact that they have the NFL network and Charter does not.
 
It is not on there, and I believe DirecTV has exclusive rights for several more years.  Dish Network subscribers just got reamed.

DirecTV charges $5 more each month for the same programming I get.  That is $60/year difference already.  Tack on whatever extra (probably $5-10) per month to get NFL network and it wont take long to get to that $10,000,000,000 figure.
Nope Dish Network has the NFL channel. Our cable provider (Charter) just took the NFL network out of their lineup and Dish Network is running a special deal if you sign up with them by the end of January and their pimping the fact that they have the NFL network and Charter does not.
Thanks, I found it. Though, I dont know if I am happier or not. The NFL network is part of the TOP 120 programming at $43 per month. I pay $32 per month now and I am happy with the programming. I dont know if $11/month is worth it.I guess I will call DirecTV.

Edit: I just looked up DirecTV's programming, their "basic" programming is 155 channels for $47/month, and it does include the NFL Network.

 
:thumbdown: Boo. Having the majority of games on a single day is one of the things that makes FF better than fantasy baseball. It's a lot easier to be invested in it for one day a week, IMHO.

I'd hate if we ever got to the point where there were football games on 5-7 nights a week. I really think this is why most of the regular-season ratings for MLB, NBA, and NHL are so low. It's hard to care as much 7 days a week as you do for 1.

That being said, I'm sure I'll be watching anyway. :P
That is how I feel also. I have a boatload of other responsibilities in life beyond fantasy football. If there is a football game on, I know I will want to be watching, instead of doing what I should be doing.
 
Is NFL Network available in High Definition? It's not currently part of DirecTVs high-def package.

 
NFL Network does their Game of the Week in HD on one of the INHD channels on Comcast. The channel states that it is available in HD but it is not for Comcast except for the Game of the Week thing.

 
The huge move this does is give them leverage with the networks. When the TV contract comes up for renewal, the conversation now has changed from "which one of you guys will bid the highest?" to "which one of you guys will bid the highest and how does that compare to us televising most of the games ourselves on our own network?"With the talk of how many millions every second of Superbowl ad space is goign for, you can bet the offices in NY are eyeing those potential $$$ very closely. (and have been for years). They know full well their product is what makes generates those dollars.This now becomes a huge leverage point for the NFL as they negotiate future contracts.You can be sure the execs at the networks are none too happy about this. Along with them, I've seen this coming since day 1 of the NFL Network. It just makes too much sense. Interesting.J

 
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ding ding ding! WINNER!This is a win/win situation for the NFL Network. They get more service providers willing to pay to distribute their broadcast (as customers that don't have NFL Network start mail/phone bombing home offices), and they get to truly gauge just how much advertising revenue can be generated by a primetime NFL broadcast.Here's a real kicker, who's calling these games?? Rich Eisen on color with some PBP guy?? Could be a very nice product (well, it could stink too, but most of the NFL net's shows are pretty high quality; Playbook's great, Total Access is decent, love Coach Speak and Sounds of the Game, 6days to Sunday rocks (usually), etc etc. I'm psyched about this!!

 
This is a horrible deal because from what i read they will be shifting the Saturday December CBS & Fox games to the NFL Network and im stuck with Time Warner so i wont be able to see any of them.
True NFL fans should have NFL sunday ticket anyway, and the NFL network is part of Direct TV basic programming
I consider myself a "true" NFL fan and I don't look to pay more for NFL Sunday Ticket. I cannot be the only one.
No ####.....there's a whole lot of "real" NFL fans that simply can't afford another $300 just to watch football.
 
Not too long ago games were moved to ESPN and TNT on Sunday nights. I remember most folks voiced the same type of negative opinions posted here or being stated in the local, Texas, media this moring. At the time the NFL opted to move some of its game to cable most folks did not have expanded service that automatically included ESPN and TNT. Yes, folks, there was a time when you paid extra for those two stations. You had to see the writing on the wall the minute the NFL Network launced. From a strict business, product control/delivery standpoint why wouldn't the NFL do this? They can own 100% of the revenue generated by their product when it is aired on their network, as well as dictating future terms and conditions to the major networks that might want to continue to show games. Think Carnegie and Vanderbilt.

This is a win/win situation for the NFL Network. They get more service providers willing to pay to distribute their broadcast (as customers that don't have NFL Network start mail/phone bombing home offices), and they get to truly gauge just how much advertising revenue can be generated by a primetime NFL broadcast.
Great explanation. Time Warner in Texas is already getting bombarded with emails and calls this morning. You don't think the NFL Network would love to have the Texas market share for their station? Angry fans will help make Time Warner see the value in the channel. Tagliabue is running one of, if not the, most dominant entertainment companies in the country. Shrewd move on his part to start leveraging that fact. Also, the quality of broadcasting talent provided by NFL Network is 100% better than anything ESPN, FOX or CBS is putting on the air, opinion.
 
Is NFL Network available in High Definition? It's not currently part of DirecTVs high-def package.
This is my primary concern!I pay DTV extra to receive the games in HD and can see the ESPN and FOX & CBS regular games in HD all the time. NFL is not part of any HD lineup right now - hopefully they will either be added to the lineup or will be broadcast on a separate channel on DTV.

Anyone know anything about this?

 
Is NFL Network available in High Definition?  It's not currently part of DirecTVs high-def package.
This is my primary concern!I pay DTV extra to receive the games in HD and can see the ESPN and FOX & CBS regular games in HD all the time. NFL is not part of any HD lineup right now - hopefully they will either be added to the lineup or will be broadcast on a separate channel on DTV.

Anyone know anything about this?
DTV is launching a HD satellite in a few months (for local HD programming) and then the next HD upgrade(s) will happen as the stations begin broadcasting in HD.
 

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