NFL Network to Air CFL Games in USA

It's not always easy to be a CFL fan while residing in the US. There hasn't been a consistent TV scheduled game since Voom HD closed up shop a few years ago. 

The NFL Network has reached an agreement to air fourteen games throughout the season, the first of which aired yesterday. The airing schedule is not set in stone, though the tentative plan is to do three Saturday games in July with Friday games beginning in September. NFL Network will also tentatively air the Grey Cup in November.

This isn't the first time that NFL Network has aired games from a different league. NFL Network currently airs games from the new Arena Football league. 

This isn't a consistent schedule, but it is certainly something.

I've often found CFL games on the MSG network but none have been on this year. ESPN.com airs them for free, but it's hard to invite friends over to huddle around a computer. 

You may be surprised by NFL Network's seemingly random scheduling, but it makes sense for their schedule. August is when NFL preseason games take place, leaving no need for CFL games to fill up time on their line-up. NFL Network also gets to air these preseason games—something they can't do once the season starts.

The NFL isn't allowed to have games on Fridays, and the CFL gives them an option other than high school football, hardly a big ratings draw. 

The only issue for American fans is that NFL Network isn't available everywhere. Satellite distributors DirecTV and Dish Network are NFL Network's big supporters. Cable companies such as Comcast offer it as a premium station, requiring fans to pay extra. Major companies such as Time Warner Cable and Cablevision do not offer it at all.

Despite these restrictions, this is a big step in the right direction for CFL football in the US.

This gives them a prominent station to air games. NFL Network could very well air the full schedule next year should a lockout occur. 

Any publicity is good publicity.