NFL backs down - NE - NYG game to be televised nationwide

[The Leaper]

The NFL is the big winner here - make no mistake about it. Millions to sell the rights to the two networks, hundreds of millions in ad dollars.

I dunno. If they were truly winning, they wouldn't need to give up the right to be the sole distributor of this game. I doubt they are making any money off simulcasting on other networks. The other networks aren't doing this for charity...they will demand their $$$$ too.

[cpk1994]

No way.

The NFL can say, "See? We compromised. Now it's YOUR turn."

Nothing will change. The NFL has not "caved" in the least. Very smart move on their part.

No it wasn't a good move. Now the cable comapnies will hold stronger becuase their buddies in Congress will continue to go after the NFL. Why should Cable back down when it has now been shown the the NFL will back down with enough pressure? The NFL just screwed itself.

[The Leaper]

The NFL can say, "See? We compromised. Now it's YOUR turn."

I don't see how the simulcasting has any real impact on the NFL Network/cable company tiff. The cable companies aren't going to make any money off of the simulcasting...and the NFL isn't going to change their stance that they want their Network to be available on basic tier packages.

Congress is meaningless at this point...Washington will basically be out of business for a year due to the upcoming election campaigns. No politican is going to be elected based on their ability to get the NFL Network on local cable outlets...but they can get some quick facetime by rattling sabers.

This is a game few people outside of the Northeast care about anyway...which is precisely why the NFL is doing this. If they didn't, the ratings for this game would be abysmal.

[FavreChild]

Exactly right, Leaper. That's the point. Many people *think* that the NFL is "caving," but this move does nothing except bolster the league's reputation. That's why I can't believe that the headline story is that the NFL is "giving in." They aren't "giving up" their broadcast rights, first of all.

Secondly, I guarantee they are getting tons of money for allowing the simulcast. They aren't just handing NBC and CBS millions and millions of dollars in ad revenue.

And finally, this gesture is just a goodwill move. It will have no impact on the dispute with Time Warner and the other cable companies, other than just that - goodwill. Many fans will *think* that the NFL is "caving" and that they, the fans, are winning. False.

[cpk1994]

The NFL can say, "See? We compromised. Now it's YOUR turn."

I don't see how the simulcasting has any real impact on the NFL Network/cable company tiff. The cable companies aren't going to make any money off of the simulcasting...and the NFL isn't going to change their stance that they want their Network to be available on basic tier packages.

Congress is meaningless at this point...Washington will basically be out of business for a year due to the upcoming election campaigns. No politican is going to be elected based on their ability to get the NFL Network on local cable outlets...but they can get some quick facetime by rattling sabers.

This is a game few people outside of the Northeast care about anyway...which is precisely why the NFL is doing this. If they didn't, the ratings for this game would be abysmal.

I think it does have impact on the tiff with the cable compaines. THe NFL is cracking and the Cable compaines know it. This just makes the cable companies hold even stronger to their demands while all the pressure is on the NFL.

[FavreChild]

How is the NFL "cracking?" The league has absolutely nothing to lose with this goodwill gesture - and tons to gain.

[MJZiggy]

The NFL can say, "See? We compromised. Now it's YOUR turn."

I don't see how the simulcasting has any real impact on the NFL Network/cable company tiff. The cable companies aren't going to make any money off of the simulcasting...and the NFL isn't going to change their stance that they want their Network to be available on basic tier packages.

Congress is meaningless at this point...Washington will basically be out of business for a year due to the upcoming election campaigns. No politican is going to be elected based on their ability to get the NFL Network on local cable outlets...but they can get some quick facetime by rattling sabers.

This is a game few people outside of the Northeast care about anyway...which is precisely why the NFL is doing this. If they didn't, the ratings for this game would be abysmal.

I think it does have impact on the tiff with the cable compaines. THe NFL is cracking and the Cable compaines know it. This just makes the cable companies hold even stronger to their demands while all the pressure is on the NFL.

I disagree, because in this instance, the NFL has sidestepped the cable companies. They put it on free TV. No one needs cable to get this broadcast, so the NFL has made it available, and it makes the cable companies no money and makes them look no more attractive. And FC's right. This move makes the NFL a ton of money. The locals pay for the programming and get cash from the local and regional ads and a share of the nationals, but make no mistake where the money from this venture is headed. Even if Congress is forcing this move, the cable company is getting no benefit from it.

[The Leaper]

How is the NFL "cracking?" The league has absolutely nothing to lose with this goodwill gesture - and tons to gain.

How do they gain anything?

NBC, CBS and their local affiliates are the ones profiting...they wouldn't be doing this if they weren't. The NFL does not stand to gain anything from sharing their product with the other networks.

[MJZiggy]

NBC and CBS pay for the programming. And they would be doing it for the viewers. The more viewers they have the more ad revenue they make. Everyone will make a lot of money on this.

[KYPack]

I got a question. Why didn't FOX get a shot at the feed?

NBC owns Sat/Sunday nite
CBS is the Net of the AFC

Didn't FOX want a chance at this game? The Jints draw big money for FOX, shouldn't they get their piece of the pie?

[CaptainKickass]

How do they gain anything?

NBC, CBS and their local affiliates are the ones profiting...they wouldn't be doing this if they weren't. The NFL does not stand to gain anything from sharing their product with the other networks.

I don't post much, but I feel compelled to answer.

This is both the NFL Network and the broadcasters way of saying a big ol "F - YOU" to the cable companies who will not comply with the NFL Networks stance. The NFL Network gains by acquiring ad revenue from the local broadcast affiliates of NBC and CBS. Plus - a percieved win to the fans of the NFL.

The "profit" from the simulcast of this game on network TV can be shoved in the faces of the cable companies and then the NFL network can say - "See, this is the type of revenue you are missing out on because you are too stubborn to eat the cost of adding the NFL network to your basic subscription packages". Which, by the way, would actually cost cable companies ZERO dollars to do so. The infrastructure already exists, and implementation would be a breeze because they are already broadcasting the channel for those who "pay".

1.The NFL Network, NBC and CBS all come out smelling like roses for being the "good guy" in the eyes of the fans.

2.The cable companies get actual dollar figure data on just what they are missing out on, further solidifying the NFL networks position.

3.The NFL Network "proves" to the fans and its advertisers that it doesn't need government intervention to advance in potentially "solving" the dispute.

4.History is made once again by the NFL and the broadcasters and can/will/is being marketed as "historic".

This is one of the most brilliant marketing moves I've ever seen regarding the broadcast of anything.

[MJZiggy]

Perhaps they got outbid? I figured ABC would be the "alternative programming" network as they like to be--expect a Lifetime special. hey maybe FOX didn't want it because they'd have wanted to make one of their FOX productions out of it. Maybe Howie and Terry get on their nerves.

[The Leaper]

Didn't FOX want a chance at this game? The Jints draw big money for FOX, shouldn't they get their piece of the pie?

I'm sure FOX got a chance at it...but perhaps the viewed their current programming choices as being more profitable to them, especially in light of the fact that 2 of the other major networks will be showing the same meaningless football game.

TV networks base the bottom line on everything they send across the airwaves. NBC's ratings have been in the toliet for a couple years now, so showing anything related to the NFL probably is a plus for them...and CBS stands to benefit because of their AFC ties and the fact this game's sole interest level resides in New England.

[gbgary]

cutting out huge chunks of the potential audience by getting away from the big 4 broadcasters is biting-the-hand-that-feeds-you. the nfl is king, the cash cow, the new america's past time. i know espn threw the most money at them, for mnf, but i can't see how they thought that was a good idea. "now that we're number one let's crap on the fans." the ones that made them number one.

[MJZiggy]

I think the networks are counting on the "perfect season" as piquing the curiosity of the viewers. Taking the "can they really do it" angle might give them a little nationwide push.