Logo

NFL Network Complains to FCC About Treatment by Comcast

Apr 17, 2008  •  Post A Comment

NFL Network said it plans to file a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission about what it claims is discriminatory and anticompetitive treatment by Comcast.
The cable operator was served with a 10-day notice of intent, NFL Network said.
NFL Network said Comcast has moved its channel onto a sports tier, while national sports networks owned by Comcast appear on more widely distributed tiers.
“Comcast has taken the NFL Network away from millions of fans and placed it on a costly sports tier,” said NFL Network President-CEO Steve Bornstein. “We don’t believe that Comcast should charge customers extra for our network while making sports channels it owns available to all viewers on a less costly basis. After months of trying to get Comcast to negotiate fair treatment, we have been forced to turn to the FCC.”
Sena Fitzmaurice, senior director of corporate communications and government affairs at Comcast, said the cable operator makes the channel available on a tier of service to which the NFL contractually agreed.
“The NFL has immense power in the marketplace, yet it keeps running to the federal and state governments to try to force changes in the deal it freely accepted in negotiations with Comcast,” Ms. Fitzmaurice said. “The agreement we have to carry the NFL Network is pro-consumer. It allows us to place this expensive channel on a tier of service for those who wish to pay for it, not on a tier where everyone must pay for it.”
The dispute between NFL Network and Comcast also is in court in New York state, but NFL Network said that claim is over contract language, rather than the violation covered by its FCC complaint.

11 Comments

  1. boo hoo hoo!!! you’ve got to feel sorry for mr. bornstein and the nfl, and i guess its a coincidence that the new nfl schedule has the eagles at home in philadelphia on nfl network thanksgiving night. the fact is the nfl network should just negotiate and leave the government out of it.

  2. Some coincidence huh Eric? NFL Network needs to piss-off. If the NFL was truly concerned about its viewing public it would return the games to broadcast where they once were and belong. That $700 million from DirecTV should satisfy those greedy little billionaire owners. The American public deserves better. Stand strong Comcast – you’ve got’em on the ropes – it shouldn’t take too much longer to put’em down. Now back to America’s Pass Time – go Twins!

  3. I would think this would fall on deaf ears, since the FCC chair thinks the cable MSO should offer ala cart and here is a Network trying to force everyone to pay for their network even though most people do not want it.

  4. iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

  5. You are such an amazing writer. Wishing you a strength and peace that surpasses all understanding as you continue to walk the high road … you are amazing, and I honor you for being YOU! You represent grace and dignity … with a smile that melts anyone blessed to be on the receiving end of it. God Bless you Always, Carrie!!!!

  6. This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.

  7. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  8. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  9. Thanks for sharing such useful information.

  10. I like this info given and it has given me some sort of desire to succeed for some reason, so thanks.

  11. You are a very clever person!

Leave a Reply to hockey jerseys Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)