NFL Network…coming to a TV near you?

Posted on November 16th, 2007. Written by Emmett Jones.

Can’t get the NFL network in your area? Or are you mad because its part of a premium package? Well, there may be hope for you yet.

There are reports that the FCC may move to open up access to cable television, as soon as this month, on the basis that the big cable companies are too dominant, From Tech Crunch,

The move would lower the cost of entry to new content providers and forcibly provide access where this has been denied previously. There is also the possibility that the FCC may force cable providers to unbundle channels, allowing consumers to pick and choose which channels they want as opposed to the current bundled channel practice.

The FCC is concerned, and rightfully so, about a lack of consumer choices in the cable television industry and the rising costs of cable services (some reports have cable prices rising at a higher rate than inflation). So, working under a basic supply/demand theory, the FCC is looking to increase the supply in the cable market, which at the same time will equate to lower prices for consumers. According to the New York Times, the FCC may actually be looking to offer à la carte cable services to consumers,

One of the proposals under consideration by the commission would force the largest cable networks to be offered to the rivals of the big cable companies on an individual, rather than packaged, basis. That proposal, known as “wholesale à la carte,” is vigorously opposed by the large cable companies.

Yes, you read that right…à la carte. No more having to buy eight channels that I’m never going to watch just to be able to get a second Nickelodeon channel (I love the Fresh Prince, what can I say?). What does this mean for networks like the NFL Network? Well, as an independent network with no affiliation with the cable companies, they’ll be able to pick and choose which cable companies will carry their network. While, in theory, they are able to do this at present, under these new regulations, the NFL network can pull their service from a particular cable company, join up with a new network, and still be able to retain some of their subscriber base (as it stands now, if the NFL chooses to not do business with Comcast, a large number of people will be without the NFL Network because there is no Comcast alternative).

And what does this news mean for consumers? Lower prices in general for their cable services, and the option to pay for the services you want, without getting a bunch of channels that you could do without (Sorry SPEED network, you just aren’t for me).

So, don’t fret Comcast users (and all of you UConn football lovers)…the future may be bright after all.

Tech Crunch: Cable Ruling May Provide Opportunities for Google, Startups

New York Times: F.C.C. Planning Rules to Open Cable Market

Related –

Sports Business Digest: ESPN and NFL Network Hate Cable Companies, Fans

2 Responses »

1. 

   matt nathanson fan

   January 24, 2010 • 2:43 am

   I just wanted to thank you for this post.

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