Time Warner vs. NFL

The NFL worked out a deal with Comcast last week, but there was no mention of working out a deal with the other biggest cable company in the United States, Time Warner Cable.

What could possibly be the problem where both sides could not work out something for the millions of NFL fans who love their games and local cable operators who have been inundated by irate phone calls on the subject?

The bottom line is if there is a real problem, then leave it up to the consumer to have a choice on whether to buy the NFL Network on a sports tier package so the real fans won't be robbed of the NFL's Draft coverage as well as coverage by ESPN.

The NBA, NHL and MLB have no problem getting their networks on Time Warner so what is really going on?

At first, it was widely perceived the consumer phone calls would be heard and a decision would be made quickly after Time Warner moved into several communities and imposed their decision on showing the NFL Network.

But now after years of not seeing it, we are left to wonder "Will we ever see the NFL Network without owning DIRECTV?" I just don't want to buy a satellite dish.

Both companies are holding the fans hostage who pay good money for their TV interests and at least, an explanation, well a good one, should be updated somewhere on one of the company's Web sites if not both.

There have been too many late-season NFL games that cannot be watched because of this lack of closure in discussing this issue from both companies which is why I am writing this article to bring up the point yet again.

Hopefully because one cable company has moved forward with a decision then Time Warner can look at the model and do the same. I am tired of calling Time Warner reps who cannot answer the questions when they are not at fault.

We have waited long enough.