Cable operators scrimmage with NFL Network

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Four major U.S. cable operators are in a scrimmage with the National Football League over the value of its 4-year-old TV network.

Time Warner Cable Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp. have refused to carry the NFL Network, saying the league made unreasonable demands for its programming.

Charter Communications Inc. said it stopped carrying the network because of a contract dispute and Comcast Corp. is fighting the NFL in court over whether it can move the network to a sports tier for which customers would pay extra.

The dispute centers on how valuable the cable operators and their customers consider the network compared with how valuable the network considers itself, The (San Antonio) Express-News reported.

Complaints about the cost of cable, driven in large part by pricey sports programming, have been escalating, and carriers say the NFL Network belongs on a sports tier so the rest of their subscribers aren't forced to shoulder its expense, the newspaper said.

"Not all our customers are passionate sports fans," Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke said. "And many of them are not interested in paying more" for football programming.

The NFL Network plans to air eight regular-season games this year.