According to reports, the NFL will allow NBC and CBS to simulcast Saturday's game between the Patriots and Giants. The Pats are, of course, 15-0 and seeking the first perfect regular season since 1972.
This is also the first game the NFL has allowed to be simulcast on multiple networks (not counting ABC carrying local ESPN games) since Super Bowl I in 1967.
Presumably Fox is cut out of the loop because the game is at the Meadowlands. Normally, CBS has the rights to any games between AFC teams and interconference games taking place in an NFC stadium. NBC paid dearly for prime time weekend rights, and were thus probably thrown a bone by the league as well.
I do not believe this move reflects a sign of weakness on the part of the NFL or it's NFL Network arm. I think Goodell realizes that he needs to win the PR battle with the cable companies if he is going to continue to stubbornly demand the price he claims the NFL Network deserves. By showing this game on broadcast television, even though he does not have to, he is placing the NFL Network in an even better light to consumers. If I were a CEO at a major cable company, I would not consider this a sign that I have any leverage.
I just hope Goodell realizes what exposing Bryant Gumbel's play-by-play to the entire nation could do to the NFL Network's appeal.
8 Responses:
You beat me to the punch. All this means is that I'm guaranteed to not be watching three networks on Sunday night instead of one network. I couldn't care less about this game. Really, the hype machine of the Pats going 16-0 isn't doing it for me. My 'Skins have a dramatic enough Sunday for me with everything riding on their game against the fucking Cowboys. Patriots-Giants in a game that means nothing for playoff seeding and only means that Tom Brady becomes more of an insufferable prick if he wins... thank God it won't be on Fox so I can at least watch The Simpsons.
Never mind. I care so little about this game, I didn't even realize it's on Saturday night. I'll be getting hammered at a wedding that was thoughtful enough to rent a party bus to drop the wife and me back off at the in-laws after the wedding. Way more fun than watching this game.
It's very irresponsible to get drunk at someone's wedding.
The Patriots will go 16-0, Tom Brady will break the touchdown record and Randy Moss will break the touchdown record. Sorry to break the news.
Don't hate me because I am beautiful.
I agree that those records are going to fall.
Have any of you guys noticed that the NFL network is totally biased to the Patriots right now, brought out even more by the NFL Network commercials.
I also couldn't care less about this game. But I'm mildly perturbed that the Packers/Cowboys game was so much more entertaining and meaningful but over half of the country couldn't watch it. (lucky for me I have NFL Network) I also feel kinda ripped off by the fact that I"m paying extra for a game that I'm probably going to watch on CBS.
I did see that NFL Network had Pats Perfection commercials playing during the 4p games on Sunday. They clearly anticipated that they would beat Miami.
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