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Everyone gets to watch Patriots try for history after all
The move by the NFL to exclusively air this weekend's game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants on their own NFL network, which reaches only 40% of US households, was met with much criticism and frustration. With a win this weekend, the Patriots would become the first team to go undefeated in a 16-game season (the Dolphins did it in the 14-game '72 season).
Now it looks like pressure from Washington has changed their mind and suddenly the game is airing on NFL Network and both NBC and CBS. Of course, several local affiliates to the two teams had already negotiated exclusive rights to the game and sold ads at inflated rates, so they can't be too happy about having to share the game now with CBS and NBC.
Cable companies have remained reluctant to pick up the NFL Network, arguing that the cost is just too high, and the Network has refused to allow itself to be packaged as part of a digital sports tier, saying that this would limit their potential audience too much. All of this brawling has created four years of frustration (NFL Network began in 2003) for football fans which culminated with this historically significant game.
I'm outside the New England area so I'm glad that I'll get the chance to watch the game, but I don't think this will be over yet. Will those local affiliates sue the NFL for breach of contract in granting them exclusive rights to the game and then turning around and adding CBS and NBC? It would seem that way. The NFL has been flexing their muscles with this move to their own network and their hard-headed tactics in dealing with cable companies who want to carry their games.
In some ways it feels like the NFL thinks they can push around everyone and anyone because they have the Super Bowl, which consistently ranks as the top-rated show of any given season, and their television broadcasts outperform any of the other sports. So they think the networks should be grateful to have them (and believe me they are!) and they can demand whatever they want because what other options do you have? Either you cave to the NFL demands or you give up the advertising revenue the big games can bring. A pretty good deal for the NFL but an increasingly tough spot for the television industry to be in.
Hopefully the events here can bring the two sides together and deals can be made to get the NFL Network on most American televisions so we can have our new "American pastime" back.
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