NFL shops new 8-game package

[stationless listener]

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/06/27/Media/NFL-TV.aspx

The new package would not affect NFL Network’s schedule of live games, as the league has decided to keep its channel’s eight-game Thursday night slate in the second half of the season intact.

The NFL declined to comment.

The league is shopping the early-season package to interested networks. Sources said the league currently has the rights to take enough games from CBS and Fox’s Sunday afternoon schedules to fill the new eight-game package and does not have to wait for those contracts to expire after the 2013 season.

The new revenue could offer solace to the league after it was rebuffed on its efforts to expand the schedule to 18 games from 16 games. The players have fought fiercely against that proposal, so in a way, the league is selling a new half-season this way.

Turner and Comcast have emerged as the most serious bidders for such a package. Comcast wants the package for Versus, while Turner, which carried a Sunday night NFL package on TNT from 1990-97, has privately craved returning NFL games to its schedule. Turner could put the package on TBS, TNT or truTV.

The first time I read that the 18-game schedule won't happen. Other than that, they sure keep finding ways to squeeze more money out of their product.

 

[DToTheJ]

NFL games on TruTV. Oh, dear God. It's bad enough the Almighty Dollar (TM) has forced us to endure NCAA basketball playoff games on TruTV. If they end up getting NFL games, they'll need to drop that dopey name.

 

[radiojomo]

NFL games on TruTV. Oh, dear God. It's bad enough the Almighty Dollar (TM) has forced us to endure NCAA basketball playoff games on TruTV. If they end up getting NFL games, they'll need to drop that dopey name.

I had heard their original plan was to have NHL games on TruTV, so being that they lost the rights race to NBCUniComcast, they might find another sports franchise to place on TruTV.

 

[Mainedude2007]

I doubt Tru airs the NFL (not enough households for the NFL's liking) If it's Turner and COmcast that usually means TBS/TNT (moreso TNT) or Versus, although maybe USA would do it?

 

[ShawnHill1]

I doubt Tru airs the NFL (not enough households for the NFL's liking) If it's Turner and COmcast that usually means TBS/TNT (moreso TNT) or Versus, although maybe USA would do it?

I could see TNT getting the package, seeing as that they had history with the NFL. If TNT does get that Thursday night package, it may cause some schedule conflicts with their NBA package. However, TNT usually has a Tuesday night doubleheader to kick-off the first week of the NBA season, so surely they can move some of their Thursday night games to Tuesday until their NFL package is finished for the season.

 

[radiolives]

How about having CBS Sports Network pick up the package? They wouldn't have to really hire anyone new as they have the annoucers from CBS Sports.

 

[Robnoxious]

How about having CBS Sports Network pick up the package? They wouldn't have to really hire anyone new as they have the annoucers from CBS Sports.

CBS Sports Net isn't even in HD. That channel is a non starter for the NFL.

 

[Sammi Brie]

How about having CBS Sports Network pick up the package? They wouldn't have to really hire anyone new as they have the annoucers from CBS Sports.

CBS Sports Net isn't even in HD. That channel is a non starter for the NFL.

Actually, it is. (Cox Phoenix has it.) It would have to be way aggressive in expansion though.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Despite the doubts over the audience reach of various cable channels, you have to recall that TNT was only two years old when it began airing the NFL. Not a bad way to get attention and carriage.

 

[mgsports]

So does Comcast Olathe/MO/TWCKC and so on? How about FSN?

 

[Sammi Brie]

Despite the doubts over the audience reach of various cable channels, you have to recall that TNT was only two years old when it began airing the NFL. Not a bad way to get attention and carriage.

That was a very different era in cable television.

 

[JeeperOne]

I doubt Tru airs the NFL (not enough households for the NFL's liking) If it's Turner and COmcast that usually means TBS/TNT (moreso TNT) or Versus, although maybe USA would do it?

There's also Spike TV too

I can see it now - NFL ON SPIKE

Why not? The famous Janet Jackson "Wardrobe Malfunction" is far enough out (Nearly 10 years now)

Cheers

 

[JeeperOne]

I doubt Tru airs the NFL (not enough households for the NFL's liking) If it's Turner and COmcast that usually means TBS/TNT (moreso TNT) or Versus, although maybe USA would do it?

I could see TNT getting the package, seeing as that they had history with the NFL. If TNT does get that Thursday night package, it may cause some schedule conflicts with their NBA package. However, TNT usually has a Tuesday night doubleheader to kick-off the first week of the NBA season, so surely they can move some of their Thursday night games to Tuesday until their NFL package is finished for the season.

TBS could also get it because (Unless they snag the NHL away from Versus) the only "Conflict" (If you can call it that) they'd have is MLB during the postseason

But even that depends on the package though

Cheers

 

[JeeperOne]

So does Comcast Olathe/MO/TWCKC and so on? How about FSN?

Too many conflicts with local/regional NBA & (Now mainly due to the NBA lockout) NHL games

MLB can also be included in the early going

Cheers