Time for Time Warner and NFL Network to Make Deal
The National Football League announced a deal today with the nation's largest cable operator, Comcast, that will result in the NFL Network being carried on its digital classic level by Aug. 1.
The channel has been on a sports package.
Why should this matter to Western New Yorkers?
Because there is widespread speculation that the NFL will next focus on making a national deal with the nation's second largest cable operator, Time Warner, which is the primary cable operator in Western New York.
The NFL Network had been carried here in Adelphia's days, but was dropped when Time Warner took over.
Of course, this would be a good year for the NFL Network to arrive back in Buffalo since the network is scheduled to carry a Bills regular season game with the New York Jets on Dec. 3. The game will air here on one of the local TV affiliates, but viewers will need the NFL Network to see the week-long build up to the game.
Have you missed NFL Network since it was dropped by Time Warner?
-- Alan Pergament
There have been several downgrades in the channels offered since TW took over, this channel as a sports fan was the one that is missed by me the most.
Posted by: Mark | May 19, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Yes I moved into a city in california that i can only get time warner cable. I really miss the NFL network and hope a deal gets done soon. I would even pay for it but cant even do that with tiem warner.
Posted by: Chris Avants | May 19, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Yes Time Warner dropped the NFL Network when it could not come to an agreement with them over the cost to provide the NFL network. TW felt they had to charge customers to make up the difference but really didn't want that option, so since they couldn't get a lower price from the NFL just dropped it from their lineup. Hopefully in these economic times the NFL Netwrok will drop its rate it charges TW so that we can all get the NFL games as part of our basic packages. Next I'm waiting for NFL pay for view on TW for individual games ! Go Bills
Posted by: John | May 19, 2009 at 06:22 PM
It's pretty ridiculous that these smart businessmen can't figure out how many people are willing to PAY EXTRA for their services. It's been years now, still no agreement, and only more people waiting.
Posted by: Eric Wright | May 19, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Just remember...Verizon FiOS TV has the NFL Network....and it's not part of a special extra-pay sports tier. It's on the regular channel line up. Brilliant, thos Verizon folks !!
Posted by: John Bonomo | May 21, 2009 at 03:19 PM
John, who was good enough to use his real name, is a Verizon spokesperson.
Posted by: BlogEditor | May 21, 2009 at 04:33 PM
I have missed the programming of the NFL Network. Time Warner has been a disaster since they took over here in Buffalo. They are on the hot seat to get a deal done with the league. I hope they can agree to something before the start of the season.
Posted by: abdul | May 23, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Eh, its neither here nor there for me. TV is bad for you. I subscribe to TWC and have the "basic" digital package with like 140 channels, and there's still literally nothing on.
I watch Bill O'Reilly and Jeopardy everyday, seriously.
The internet can supply any and all necessary NFL-fixes. NFL.com has just about all the coverage their network broadcasts for free. PFtalk.com, twobillsdrive, there's plenty out there to get news/takes/articles quickly. ESPN has plenty of NFL coverage. Ive survived without it for 3/4 years, it seems inconsequential to me at this point.
NHL Network would be great, I just can't bring myself to spend another $4/month to watch 1 channel.
Posted by: Steve | June 02, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Maybe TW should stop duplicating channels if the customer has an HD box. I get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNNEWS, ESPNU, YES, MLB Network and Versus on both Basic/Digital and HD and those are just the sports channels! There are quite a few more (TLC, TNT, TBS just to name some) that are also duplicated. The only thing I can think of is that they are required by contract to provide both versions of the channel. Eliminating the non-HD versions of the same channel would definitely increase bandwidth for more HD channels and possibly decrease their cost.
And why the heck am I getting the Tennis HD channel now? Who watches that!
Time Warner, please get off your butts and work out a deal!
Posted by: Matt | June 04, 2009 at 02:03 PM
The NFL Network was to greedy as it wanted all the customers to pay for the channel if you watched it or not. Personally, it belongs on a Sports Tier with MLB Network, NBA TV, Big Ten Network and the NHL Network. Let those that want to watch it pay for it. With Time Warner dropping the HD Net and the HD Movie Net, they now have the money to bring the NFL Network to WNY. Time Warner Cable "robbed Peter to pay Paul". The NFL is now way over saturated with to many nights on televison.
Posted by: Ricardo Anselmo | June 05, 2009 at 09:37 PM
I am a huge football fan......and the NFL network sucks. Same shows over and over again. MATT you're an idiot, they duplicate the channels because ONLY HD channels are in the 700s. So if you watch channel 26 and you got an HDTV you are not watching it in HD unless if you go to channel 726.
Posted by: Tim | July 03, 2009 at 01:50 AM
To those who think NFL network sucks.
I used to have directv, they carry nfl network. In the offseason, I used to watch full games from the last season. It sounds meaningless..but when there's no football on tv...it's freakin awesome! Plus, every pre-season game! For a bills fan living in NC, it is the best way to get to know your team every year. I miss the hell out of nfl network and I am debating going back to one of the satellite services just to see this one channel
Posted by: Glenn | July 04, 2009 at 12:13 AM
I live in Ohio and had Dish Network and I loved the NFL network. Now I live to far out to get internet with anyone except Time Warner so I have there cable. They say NFL is forcing people who dont wanna watch the channel to pay more for there cable. We just got the MLB network and NO one watches it. Also the 15 home shopping channels and 10 Religous channels that are thrown in can all be taken out to balance this out. TWC should allow you to pick 100 channels for one price...people would be alot happier with there pay TV.
Posted by: Jeff | July 13, 2009 at 12:42 AM
If you are a Buffalo Sports Fan and live in WNY, you are basically forced to go to Directv. That is the only place you can get Sabres, Yankees and NFL Network all in HD. TW is should wake up and put NFL on a sports tier, so it is available to subscribers whom want it. Dish doesn't offer MSG-HD or the YES network.
Posted by: Islandguy43 | July 14, 2009 at 08:59 AM
The NFL network should be part of a sports tier. Let those that want it, pay for it. I would take the HDNet or HDMovie Net anyday over the NFL Network.
Posted by: Ricardo Anselmo | August 10, 2009 at 07:38 PM
I'm in an area that only uses Cablevision, and will be moving to Time Warner area soon. I am a Green Bay Packers fan, and it really stinks not being able to see MY teams games...instead I'm stuck with Jets and Giants games. I'd love to get to choose the games I see. It's not fair that cable wont offer it. It makes me consider switching!
Posted by: Amanda | September 05, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I don't know what the problem is with TWC besides they just suck. I have COX and have all the sports networks. MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA etc and they appeared on my lineup. AND all in HD. And my bill did not go up. TWC Sucks!!!
Posted by: Natedogg | September 08, 2009 at 11:17 PM