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NFL Network can **** right off - Pat's/Giants to be simulcast on NBC and CBS
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| RJT |
http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsess...eo&confirm=true
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NEW YORK -- After weeks of insisting they wouldn't cave in, NFL officials did just that Wednesday. Now all of America can see the Patriots' shot at history.
Saturday night's game between New England and the New York Giants on the NFL Network, which is available in fewer than 40 percent of the nation's homes with TVs, will be simulcast on CBS and NBC.
On NFL Network ...
Patriots at Giants
Sat., Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ET
Complete broadcast schedule
NFL Network is carrying eight games on Thursday and Saturday nights. Don't get NFL Network? Click here for more information.
The Patriots could become the first NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season.
"We have taken this extraordinary step because it is in the best interest of our fans," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement after the league announced it was reversing course. "What we have seen for the past year is a very strong consumer demand for NFL Network. We appreciate CBS and NBC delivering the NFL Network telecast on Saturday night to the broad audience that deserves to see this potentially historic game. Our commitment to the NFL Network is stronger than ever."
NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky said officials would have no further comment Wednesday.
The NFL had claimed that the onus of making the game widely available fell on the major cable providers with which the league has bitterly feuded. Companies such as Comcast and Time Warner have declined to carry the network as part of basic packages.
But lawmakers have pressured the NFL to ensure more viewers could see the game. Last week, two prominent members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Goodell threatening to reconsider the league's antitrust exemption.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who co-wrote the letter with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said he was "delighted" by the NFL's concession.
"I think it was a smart move on their part," he said in a phone interview.
Leahy expected to speak with Goodell again next month about the ongoing question of how many fans will be able to see games on the channel. Saturday's matchup wraps up the NFL Network's second season of airing live contests, with eight per year. This one and a key Thursday night game between Green Bay and Dallas last month drew widespread complaints about the lack of availability.
"I never completely gave up hope, but I was getting a little discouraged Christmas afternoon when we still had not gotten a positive answer," said Leahy, who added that his staff members were talking with NFL officials during the holiday.
Local TV affiliates in the Boston, Manchester, N.H., and New York areas that were already set to simulcast the game under NFL policy will still air it. That means viewers in those markets will have four channels to choose from if they get NFL Network.
This will be the first three-network simulcast in NFL history and the first simulcast of an NFL game since the inaugural Super Bowl in 1967, when CBS and NBC televised the meeting of the champions of the newly merged National Football League and American Football League.
"We're happy to accommodate the NFL's request for a joint national simulcast of this potentially historic game to make it available to the widest possible audience," said Dick Ebersol, NBC Universal's chairman for sports and Olympics.
NBC was scheduled to air "Dateline NBC" and a repeat of "Law & Order: SVU" during the time slot. CBS was set to broadcast the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "48 Hours: Mysteries."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
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I realize it doesn't really matter because there's a pretty good chance the Giants starters sit - but meh, it's a big game, and I'm glad I'll get to see it.
:) |
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| denys envy |
| only question is NBC or CBS... hmmm... |
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| King Ecnal |
I never really cared... since it would have been shown here for us... on our local CBS... because they have to...
I don't have NFL Network anymore... so I never see the other craptastic THurs/Sat games.... but I'll always get my Pats games... so I don't care...
I guess its good for the Pats fans spread across the states though... cheers to that I suppose...
this whole NFL Network/Cable stronghold crap is retarded... I'd honestly rather have FSC than NFL Network... |
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| verndogs |
| the thought of having to see and hear Bryant Gumbel across 3 different channels :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: |
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| Kapedan |
| quote: | Originally posted by verndogs
the thought of having to see and hear Bryant Gumbel across 3 different channels :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: :nervous: |
rick romio!!!
god i hate his voice |
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| Kapedan |
| BTW NFL..why the is it on NBC and CBS? Was there a need for that? |
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| RJT |
I think it has to do with advertising rights, though I'm not positive.
And Vern, Collinsworth is 10.5 trillion times worse than Gumbel. Either way, it'll be on mute, and the radio will be on in its stead.  |
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| Rockabye |
| quote: | Originally posted by Kapedan
BTW NFL..why the is it on NBC and CBS? Was there a need for that? |
both had rights to the match.
CBS because it's an AFC team @ NFC.
NBC because it has the exclusive rights to ALL prime-time games on ota TV.
and both want to make money out of it. only FOX is pisse. :haha: |
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| verndogs |
| quote: | Originally posted by RJT
And Vern, Collinsworth is 10.5 trillion times worse than Gumbel. Either way, it'll be on mute, and the radio will be on in its stead. |
I say Gumbel is worse since he has that high pitched voice to go along with his retarded commentary.
But yeah, those guys will make me work the mute button on Saturday night |
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| RJT |
On a more personal note, Collinsworth is such a ing Packer hater that it makes me want to puke - so that definitely adds to my distaste for him.
But yes - the pair of them is truly awful. The only way it could get any worse is if Glanville was thrown in as the third man.
:nervous: |
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| XaNaX |
| Thank god since time warner cable doesn't feel the need to give us NFL Network |
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| bangoSkank |
| Not wildly excited for this game though it'tl probably be on in the background wherever im at. Im hoping the NFL network goes under and the big ten network follows close behind :D |
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