PFT: NFL makes offer to Time Warner

[WoodysGirl]

POSTED 5:43 p.m. EST, December 20, 2007

NFL MAKES OFFER TO TIME WARNER

The National Football League has made a significant, and surprising, offer to solve the lingering impasse with cable giant Time Warner. In a letter sent on Thursday to Glenn Britt, President and CEO of Time Warner, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered to submit the dispute to arbitration.

The league is willing to allow an arbitrator to determine the price of the network, and the tier on which it would be placed.

The problem has arisen because companies like Time Warner want to use NFLN as the drawing card for a higher-level sports tier that will induce NFL fans to cough up extra money -- and that will result in the receipt of other channels that they might not want. The NFL has been holding out for the placement of the league-owned network on basic cable, putting it into as many homes as possible. Cable companies have claimed that the NFL wants too much for its product.

The offer is valid until December 28, one day before the Giants host the Patriots in what could be New England's achievement of the first 16-0 season in NFL history.

We like the idea of the league and all cable companies working this one out. If they can't come up with their own solution to the problem, someone else (Congress) will come up with a solution for them.

 

[Beast_from_East]

POSTED 5:43 p.m. EST, December 20, 2007

NFL MAKES OFFER TO TIME WARNER

The National Football League has made a significant, and surprising, offer to solve the lingering impasse with cable giant Time Warner. In a letter sent on Thursday to Glenn Britt, President and CEO of Time Warner, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered to submit the dispute to arbitration.

The league is willing to allow an arbitrator to determine the price of the network, and the tier on which it would be placed.

The problem has arisen because companies like Time Warner want to use NFLN as the drawing card for a higher-level sports tier that will induce NFL fans to cough up extra money -- and that will result in the receipt of other channels that they might not want. The NFL has been holding out for the placement of the league-owned network on basic cable, putting it into as many homes as possible. Cable companies have claimed that the NFL wants too much for its product.

The offer is valid until December 28, one day before the Giants host the Patriots in what could be New England's achievement of the first 16-0 season in NFL history.

We like the idea of the league and all cable companies working this one out. If they can't come up with their own solution to the problem, someone else (Congress) will come up with a solution for them.

As soon as there was talk or revoking the NFL's antitrust exemption, all of a sudden the two sides can work something out?

 

[windward]

As soon as there was talk or revoking the NFL's antitrust exemption, all of a sudden the two sides can work something out?

If it results in me getting the NFL Network, I don't care who influences the NFL and Time Warner to get a deal struck.

 

[Echo9]

POSTED 5:43 p.m. EST, December 20, 2007

NFL MAKES OFFER TO TIME WARNER

The National Football League has made a significant, and surprising, offer to solve the lingering impasse with cable giant Time Warner. In a letter sent on Thursday to Glenn Britt, President and CEO of Time Warner, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered to submit the dispute to arbitration.

The league is willing to allow an arbitrator to determine the price of the network, and the tier on which it would be placed.

The problem has arisen because companies like Time Warner want to use NFLN as the drawing card for a higher-level sports tier that will induce NFL fans to cough up extra money -- and that will result in the receipt of other channels that they might not want. The NFL has been holding out for the placement of the league-owned network on basic cable, putting it into as many homes as possible. Cable companies have claimed that the NFL wants too much for its product.

The offer is valid until December 28, one day before the Giants host the Patriots in what could be New England's achievement of the first 16-0 season in NFL history.

We like the idea of the league and all cable companies working this one out. If they can't come up with their own solution to the problem, someone else (Congress) will come up with a solution for them.

Man, I can't explain the level of hatred I have for my Cable company. They tell us that they don't want to pass off a 70 cent rate hike onto the customer, and then turn around and jack up the monthly bill by TEN BUCKS in order to cover the cost of Isaiah Thomas' sexual harrassment suit.

ARGH!

Seriously, this just happened.

I can't get a dish, but as soon as Verizon gets TV in my area, I am jumpin ship.

 

[SDogo]

Man, I can't explain the level of hatred I have for my Cable company. They tell us that they don't want to pass off a 70 cent rate hike onto the customer, and then turn around and jack up the monthly bill by TEN BUCKS in order to cover the cost of Isaiah Thomas' sexual harrassment suit.

ARGH!

Seriously, this just happened.

I can't get a dish, but as soon as Verizon gets TV in my area, I am jumpin ship.

Amen! My local cable company (who I'm not a customer with thank goodness) sent out a price change notice just today masked by what they called "exciting programming additions"

They are dropping the cost of basic cable by .65 but the cost of the converter is going up $1.36, the cost of HDTV converter is going up $2.87 and all tiers of programming are looking at a increase of $3.47 a month.

NOW WAIT! The good news!!!

Because your business is important to them they are now offering the Nature Network in HD, Home Shopping Network in Spanish, Heaven Awaits network dedicated to influential women in religion and the Baby Network.

All of which are forced down your throat for an additional $7 a month or so based on if you have HDTV or not.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I havent liked very much of what Goodell has done but i think allowing an independent arbitrator to listen to their cases and make a decision is about as good as it gets.

Kudos to Goodell and now we'll see if TWC really wants to settle this dispute.

 

[FLcowboy]

We like the idea of the league and all cable companies working this one out. If they can't come up with their own solution to the problem, someone else (Congress) will come up with a solution for them.

Like Congress has solved any problem in the last several years.

If people want the NFL channel, and their cable company doesn't offer it, then the people can go to a provider that does offer it.

 

[03EBZ06]

It's interesting that the Charter Communication is showing NFLN game for the first time tonight.

 

[Hoofbite]

Like Congress has solved any problem in the last several years.

If people want the NFL channel, and their cable company doesn't offer it, then the people can go to a provider that does offer it.

which still screws people who can't get that service because of location.

 

[MC KAos]

Like Congress has solved any problem in the last several years.

If people want the NFL channel, and their cable company doesn't offer it, then the people can go to a provider that does offer it.

i hate when people say this, because its obvious they have no idea what their talking about. For us that live in apartments we have exactly one choice, the local cable company. If i could get satellite i would, but if you dont have a clear view of the south or if your apartments wont allow you to have a dish, your at the mercy of these events.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Cable needs to show their hand now.....

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'll be glad when everyone who wants access to the NFLN finally has the chance to get it. I'm one of the lucky ones I guess as I've had it for almost two years now.

 

[Clove]

Can charter get in on these talks? Jeesh

 

[elcocinero]

Time Warner shot down the offer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/20/AR2007122002008.html

 

[gaylemike]

If i could get satellite i would, but if you dont have a clear view of the south or if your apartments wont allow you to have a dish, .................quote]

This is no longer valid argument......apartment owners can't stop you from putting a dish on the property, you just can't fasten it to the building to where the owners could say it damages property. You can put it up on a balcony facing SW sky all day long.......Federal law passed several years ago and several apartment owners spent money to fight it and lost 100% of the time. Many apartments have their dish on a tripod similar to RV tripods on the balcony and never move them. Good luck. Go to SatelliteGuys.us forums to find much info on this and ways to install and aim if that is a problem.

P.S. Let me interject one thing though, although you will be within the federal law legally, you won't be your apartment manager's best friend anymore. He/she might not help you do your laundry or fold your clothes anymore.......tongue-in-cheek.......so bear that in mind, you might antaganize some that you don't want to

 

[Tyronosaurus77]

I cant wait for everyone to get the network. I guess Im one of the lucky ones too Ive had it for about 3 or 4 years I think for like less than 3 dollars a month. I cant believe that its flat out not available in some areas, thats insane. I wouldnt be able to live a day with the NFLN.

 

[BigDFan5]

Time Warner shot down the offer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/20/AR2007122002008.html

so much for big cable just wanting a fair solution

 

[SweetDC]

i hate when people say this, because its obvious they have no idea what their talking about. For us that live in apartments we have exactly one choice, the local cable company. If i could get satellite i would, but if you dont have a clear view of the south or if your apartments wont allow you to have a dish, your at the mercy of these events.

I second that motion. Where I live (and likely most other areas as well), only one cable company is allowed to provide service in each county. This monopoly was allowed by antitrust exemptions the cable industry enjoyed. And as for satellite, my apartment community does allow dishes but many others in the area do not.

Cable isn't like fast food, in which if you don't like the food at Wendy's then you go to McDonald's. Many people are stuck and at the mercy of these corporate giants. The feds broke up Ma Bell and now look at how many telephone companies there are. It's time the cable companies unlocked the door and allow more competitors in. Cox Communications also services about half the counties in my area but generally speaking, something is wrong when there are only two major cable companies (TW and Comcast) that service the entire country. It's no wonder they are sticking it to us and many people have to bend over and take it.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

so much for big cable just wanting a fair solution

Yep, if this doesn't show who is in the right in this situation, nothing will.

 

[coogrfan]

The NFL's offer was more than fair. There's no guarantee an arbitrator would rule in the league's favor, and in the meantime TW would be able to carry the games.

TW's refusal is indefensible, and their obstinancy and greed lie exposed for the all the world to see.