NFL Network Update

You may be wondering about the upcoming eight games scheduled to be broadcast on the NFL Network.  Here is the update:

Armstrong added the NFL Network in July, 2005.  At that time, NFL Network did not have the rights to show any regular season NFL games

When the NFL’s television contracts came up for bids, they sold the rights to several different broadcast and cable groups including CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN who purchased different packages of games (all of these networks are available to Armstrong customers). The NFL also created a new 8-game package to be aired on Thursday and Saturday nights and decided to keep those games for their own NFL Network.  As you may be aware, the NFL owns NFL Network.  When the NFL made this decision, they offered these games to cable operators for a substantial additional cost.  At that time, cable operators, including Armstrong, requested they be able to offer these games only to customers who chose to pay an additional amount to see them. The NFL Network rejected this option.  Armstrong has continued to work toward securing this programming for its customers in such a manner but our proposals have been rejected by the NFL Network. Although we continue to negotiate with NFL Network concerning carriage of these games in the future, an agreement does not appear to be close at hand at this time.

All other NFL Network content will be available as it has been in the past.

You should also know that whenever your local home town team is involved in one of these 8 Thursday / Saturday games on NFL Network, a local broadcaster will be able to air the game, so you won’t miss it. (Blackout restrictions may apply in certain areas, per the NFL)

We thank you for your consideration and understanding with regard to this issue.