Moments before kickoff of tonight's Giants-Patriots game, which is being broadcast on NFL Network, NBC and CBS, NFL Network reporter Adam Schefter interviewed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the league's unprecedented decision to show the game on all three channels. Goodell said the decision to put tonight's game on free TV was "all about the fans," saying that there was so much interest in the historic implications of the game that the league wanted every fan to be able to see it. He didn't explain why the NFL took a different stance toward this year's Cowboys-Packers game, which also drew huge fan interest.
When pressed by Schefter about the future of NFL Network, Goodell said, "That's for another night." But when Schefter asked him, point blank, if the NFL and its owners support NFL Network, Goodell answered, "Absolutely."
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. What a scam the NFL pulled on the networks. A big running commercial for the NFL Network plus a website to boot for "IwantNFLnetwork.com". Brilliant marketing. Gotta hand it to them. Truly a trojan horse for the ages..
Posted at 9:53PM on Dec 29th 2007 by Daryl
2. I have got to say for the last few weeks people have said that the nfl needs new england to be perfect till week 17 for the NFL Network. Bottom line the NFL Network is one of the fast growing networks ever. The NFL secdule is set two years in advance and for people to throw a fit about not getting the network boowho. If timewarner, comcast and the other would just say ok we will carry this network then so be it. The fact that the heads of those providers say "We can't charge for something people don't want" Is stupid. I have a satellite and the NFLNetwork. yeah I also have six womens channels I don't watch, music channels. But I pay for it. Cable needs to steep forword..
Posted at 12:54AM on Dec 30th 2007 by Chad
3. Times are changing and because of new ways we will be able to get TV the way we want it pretty soon satellite and cable will both go the way of the buggy whip.
Posted at 7:06AM on Dec 30th 2007 by al coholic
4. What Goodell doesn't seem to grasp, is simply this. The Cable providers can virtually hold out forever. What's it hurting them?? The NFL doesn't have that luxury, so the more fans they turn off with their head-in-the-sand stupidity, they continue to shoot themselves in their collective posteriors.
Posted at 7:56AM on Dec 30th 2007 by JustPlainMacArthur
5. I personally want to thank Roger Goodell for putting The Game on regular TV. I would like to have the NFL Network but will NOT get satellite. Had it for one year and could not wait to cancel after the year contract! If this is the only way to receive the NFL channel guess I won't have it. I would pay cable extra for the channel but they do not offer it so i will go to a place that has it to watch a game I am interested in. They should of put Dallas/Green Bay on regular TV too. Thank you again Mr. Goodell. I really enjoyed the game. GO PATS!!!
Posted at 8:52AM on Dec 30th 2007 by Lynn Johnston
6. I've had cable, Direct TV & now cable again. Neither is perfect. They both have huge lineups filled with meaningless channels. If ESPN is considered "lower tier", we should be able to receive NFL channel the same way on cable. Most of the other "free" cable channels target specific markets,how is NFL any different? $$$$$ that's how, it's all about the almighty dollar not what the customers want. Wish I had the solution, but sadly, I do not.
Posted at 9:35AM on Dec 30th 2007 by Ginny
7. I don't know what to believe.On one hand the cable providers say the NFL wants too much money so they have to make it a pay channel or part of a sports package.the NFL says they want it on a lower tier package such as a basic digital package.That would mean more viewrs and more ad revenue.Would the NFL ask for less if the cable companies complied? Who knows?It sounds to me that both sides just want one thing.OUR MONEY!!!
Posted at 10:47AM on Dec 30th 2007 by john mcdonald