Just recently after the Patriots vs Giants game this showed on Charter.com website:
Link: Charter Communications - College Sports
College Football Information
Give Us the Games, Not the Hustle
Putting Fans First is a new coalition of sports superfans and consumers uniting to address the soaring cost of sports programming. For more information, please visit Fans First.
Charter continues to bring our customers the BEST in football including Big Ten games, NFL games and football highlights OnDemand! Plus, our customers don't have to miss a moment of the action with the HD-ready Charter DVR. Be sure to check back for the most up to date information on Big Ten games and more. More than 250 college match-ups and around 100 NFL games during the 2007 football season.
NFL & Big Ten on Cable... Only If It's a Fair Deal for Customers
Charter Communications and other cable operators around the country have been told by our customers that they want more choice in the programming they pay for, and they want to pay a reasonable price for it. That is at the heart of Charter's position to not just accept the unreasonable demands being made by the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network for carriage of their Networks on our channel lineup.
We want a reasonable solution for sports fans. Charter wants to carry both of these sports networks for you and we understand the value these networks offer those who enjoy professional and college sports; especially communities that features teams in both Leagues. Although the majority of games are presently on cable, we know that every game is a must-see when it involves a team you follow.
Both the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network publicly state that Charter is withholding games from our customers. We're grateful that many of you recall that the games now on both League-owned Networks that come with a high-price tag for every cable customer used to be free on broadcast TV. Both networks demand that their programming be part of our Expanded Basic service delivered to virtually all customers, including those not interested in NFL or Big Ten sports. Both the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network have rejected our request to carry their programming on Charter's fan-based Digital Sports View Tier.
The Big Ten Network and the NFL Network are expensive and we don't believe that the majority of our Expanded Basic customers should be compelled to absorb the high cost of services they might not have much, if any, interest in. Many of you have told us they agree.
We know that consumers want more choice in what programming channels are available to them more control of the cost for that programming. Carriage of the NFL Network and Big Ten Network on our Digital Sports View Tier would honor that request. However, we must have the two network's permission. Other cable operators are taking the same position with NFL and Big Ten Network as Charter with the same goal -- to make the entertainment service the best value in the marketplace.
Charter believes it should be able to carry the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network for a reasonable monthly fee on our Digital Sports View Tier, where only sports fans who want to watch these Networks pay for it. We believe that's a reasonable request, and one that respects all your best interests - sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
Ultimately, it's got to be a fair deal for you.
Link: Charter Communications - College Sports
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