NFL Update

[rdinkel]

NFL Network locked up satellite distribution for its new eight-game Thursday- and Saturday-night package of National Football League games after reaching a deal last week with EchoStar Communications’ Dish Network.

Dish joins DirecTV and a slew of small and midsized operators that have reached new carriage contracts with the pro-football league's service.

Along with the network -- which will be slotted on Dish’s “America’s Top 60” package -- the direct-broadcast satellite provider will also distribute NFL Network’s 24-hour HD feed, network executives said.

“Dish Network is a terrific partner that has embraced NFL Network wholeheartedly,” NFL Network vice president of national accounts Brian Decker said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to continuing to drive positive results for its business and customers.”

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Along with the network -- which will be slotted on Dish’s “America’s Top 60” package -- the direct-broadcast satellite provider will also distribute NFL Network’s 24-hour HD feed, network executives said.

Did someone fall asleep in the NFL's Press Release Department? This all happened a long time ago, including the addition of NFL HD.

 

[rdinkel]

Release hit the wires this morning.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

yeah I know, just slow with their release.

 

[JohnH]

Yeah, EchoStar released it now.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=68854&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=876208&highlight=

DISH Network & NFL Network Ink Broad Pact; Deal Includes Live Games to All Customers, Plus Full-Time High Definition Feed
NEW YORK, Jun 26, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and NFL Network today announced a multi-year extension to bring many new advanced features to customers of EchoStar's DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service. These features include availability on DISH Network's America's Top 60; 168 games televised nationally including NFL Network's regular season primetime game package debuting this Thanksgiving; and full-time carriage of NFL Network's high-definition feed.

"Our renewed partnership with NFL Network allows us to continue to offer DISH Network customers advanced services at affordable prices," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for DISH Network. "NFL Network in America's Top 60 package allows DISH Network to bring this service to our customers at the lowest price in the industry, further strengthening the choice of our programming options."

"DISH Network is a terrific partner who has embraced NFL Network wholeheartedly," said Brian Decker, NFL Network's vice president of national accounts. "We look forward to continuing to drive positive results for its business and customers."

Beginning July 13, NFL Network will be available to DISH Network customers on Channel 154 on the America's Top 60 package ($29.99 per month) or above. NFL Network has been located on DISH Network Channel 154 since last September and is currently available to customers subscribing to America's Top 120 package or above.

Additionally, DISH Network will televise NFL Network's regular season primetime games nationally on both standard definition and high-definition feeds. DISH Network, offering the largest HD lineup in the U.S. with 29 channels, will make NFL Network's 24-hour high-definition feed available to DishHD Bronze and higher customers on a year-round basis on Channel 9426.

With NFL Network's exclusive access into key league events, football fans will have access to nearly 2,000 original hours of programming on NFL Network. Customers can subscribe to DISH Network by visiting www.dishnetwork.com, calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or visiting a local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12.2 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

About NFL Network

In 2006, NFL Network will air 168 football games, including 8 primetime regular season NFL games, 52 preseason games, 75 game re-airs, 31 NFL Europe League contests, the Insight Bowl and the Senior Bowl.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/home.

SOURCE: EchoStar

EchoStar
Kathie Gonzalez, 720-514-5351
or
NFL Network
Seth Palansky, 212-450-2422

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

There is more coming from NFL and Dish Network, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Stay Tuned.

 

[onsiteSat]

So your just gonna leave us hanging?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Yup for now.

All's I know is they are working on some kind of package where you can watch 6 games a week, for a lot less then what it costs for the Sunday Ticket package.

The games won't be live, but will allow for NFL fans to see their favorite teams.

 

[Mr Tony]

the tip of the iceberg.

that's my gimmick

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Dish Sunday Ticket? A $200 special, just for sports fans?

No as the games won't be on Sunday's. They will be replays of Sunday's Games.

REMEMBER THIS IS JUST A RUMOR.

 

[navychop]

Scott- you're quick. I made my post, then saw yours. Then I deleted my post since your's made mine OBE. But you're quick, answering faster than I can delete!

Anyway, this post is just for folks who may wonder about your quoting a now non-existent post.

 

[JohnH]

Sounds like standard NFL Network fare(ala NFL Games of the week).

 

[Greg Bimson]

All's I know is they are working on some kind of package where you can watch 6 games a week, for a lot less then what it costs for the Sunday Ticket package.

The games won't be live, but will allow for NFL fans to see their favorite teams.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and NFL Network today announced a multi-year extension to bring many new advanced features to customers of EchoStar's DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service. These features include availability on DISH Network's America's Top 60; 168 games televised nationally including NFL Network's regular season primetime game package debuting this Thanksgiving; and full-time carriage of NFL Network's high-definition feed.

The NFL Network is going to replay the past week's games. No rumor.

 

[dfergie]

NFL Network, EchoStar Inks Distribution Deal

Network to Launch 'NFL Gameday'

By Jon Lafayette
EchoStar Communications, the No. 2 U.S. satellite TV provider, agreed to carry the NFL Network on its Dish Network.
The deal puts the 32-month-old network on Dish's America Top 60 programming package beginning July 13, the network said Monday in a statement. That makes the channel, owned by the National Football League, available in 40 million homes.

The satellite-TV provider will also carry NFL Network's high-definition feed on a full-time basis.

NFL Network also announced a new show, "NFL Gameday," a 90-minute program on Sundays at 11:30 p.m. hosted by Rich Eisen that will review game highlights, post-game press conferences, interviews and analysis. "NFL Gameday" will be rerun continuously until 1 p.m. on Mondays.
Source

 

[Purogamer]

the tip of the iceberg.

that's my gimmick

I may be reading that wrong, but ewww...