Comcast Loses FCC Ruling to NFL

The FCC ruled that the cable provider should carry the NFL Network as part of a popular package of channels. The cable company claimed that the league wants to charge $1 more to subscribers for the popular package. However, the Federal Communications Commission sided with the NFL on Friday.

By: Sara Smith
Staff Writer
Published: Oct 13, 2008

Comcast Corporation on Friday lost a feud with the National Football League. The Federal Communications Commission sided with the NFL. Comcast has to carry the NFL network as part of a popular package of channels.

Comcast Corporation on Friday lost a battle with the National Football League. The Federal Communications Commission said that the cable company must provide the NFL network as part of its popular packages.

The FCC said that Comcast discriminated against the NFL Network. It wants the cable company to provide channel available as part of a special sports package.

However, Comcast argued that it would cost customers more by adding the NFL Network on its popular expanded digital service. The added network will add cost to millions of subscribers by one dollar a month.

Comcast does include such unique sports channels as Versus and the Golf Channel on its expanded service. This was the NFL's argument that the cable company already includes niche sports channels. Moreover, the sports channels are owned by Comcast.

The FCC ruling will now go in front of an administrative law judge. The judge could force the cable provider to carry the NFL Network at a set price.

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