NFL takes on cable over football network

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A dispute between the National Football League in the United States and major cable television companies may leave many fans wanting this season.

The NFL Network and the two largest cable television providers, Comcast Cablevision and Time Warner, are negotiating over distribution and license fees.

The NFL said its sports network should be distributed like other sports channels, such as ESPN, but Comcast and Time Warner said the license fees for the NFL Network are unjustified, The Washington Times reported Wednesday.

Most games are broadcast nationally in their home markets but only NFL Network subscribers may view games outside their home market.

Satellite cable providers DirectTV and Dish Network carry the NFL Network as part of a basic cable package, as do 250 other providers. Comcast and Time Warner, however, hold the largest share of the cable subscriber market.

The NFL launched a campaign asking cable customers to switch services to a provider carrying the network. Comcast responded with a "cease and desist" letter citing a breach of the NFL's contract with the company, the Times said.