Dueling Commentary: NFL vs Cable

DUELING COMMENTARY: NFL VS CABLE
[SOURCE: USAToday]
[Commentary] Big Cable says its dispute with NFL Network is all about protecting the consumer. Don't believe the hype. This is about squashing competition. NFL Network and a handful of other independent programmers such as the Hallmark Channel and the Black Television News Channel cannot get a fair deal with Big Cable for one simple reason: We are not owned by a cable company. Our government leaders should ensure that Big Cable cannot treat its channels better than it treats independent channels such as NFL Network and hold consumers hostage in the dispute. A neutral, third-party arbitrator should be able to step in to bring about an agreement. Six states are considering legislation to do just that, and the Federal Communications Commission is looking at the issue, too. We don't fear independent arbitration and believe that in virtually every case, it would lead to a negotiated settlement.

[Commentary] The reason the NFL Network is not on most cable systems is the league's arrogance. It won't let the cable companies put its channel on a premium tier, where the fans who want it would pay the NFL's premium price. The network insists that it be included in a basic package, which spreads the costs to all customers, including those who don't care a whit for football. The NFL has no valid case for arbitration. The cable companies might be unfair to truly small players, such as the Hallmark Channel, but they are being quite reasonable with the NFL. So if you're upset about being blacked out of tonight's big game, pick the right villain. It's the oh-so-popular NFL, not the usual suspects.

* Big Cable's double standard
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071129/oppose29.art.htm

* Unnecessary roughness
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071129/edit29.art.htm