Comcast Corporation and the National Football League announced today that they have reached a new, long-term agreement regarding carriage of NFL Network and complete settlement of all outstanding legal disputes. The carriage agreement consists of a broad array of video content, including the live (24/7) Network, video on demand for Comcast's Digital Classic cable customers, and the ability to offer the NFL's RedZone Channel when it is created.
Under the terms of the agreement, Comcast will begin repositioning NFL Network from the Sports Entertainment Package to its Digital Classic level of service with a full launch by August 1, reaching nearly two-thirds of the company's total digital customer base. In addition to NFL Network's in-studio shows, commentary and live-game broadcasts, Comcast's Digital Classic customers will now have access to a robust suite of NFL content On Demand, including game highlights, game replays, the "best" of NFL Films, players and coaches interviews, local team highlights, and other NFL programming whenever they want a piece of the action.
"We are delighted to have come to an agreement with the NFL," said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Our goal has always been to provide our digital customers with access to the NFL's unique content and, working together, we have struck the right balance between value and distribution on a variety of viewing platforms. We are looking forward to bringing the NFL's programming to our customers just in time for the start of the NFL season."
"We are very pleased that NFL Network and other NFL content will be widely distributed in millions of more homes on Comcast's service," said National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell. "We look forward to having NFL Network's coverage of training camps and the preseason showcased this summer on Comcast. NFL Network is the only TV channel devoted exclusively to football 24/7, 365 days a year."
The NFL and Comcast will take immediate joint action to discontinue pending legal actions before the Federal Communications Commission and a New York state court.
