December 29, 2007

Cable360 Update: RCN Upset With Pats-Giants Simulcast

RCN Blasts NFL Net.

By Cable 360 Staff

Cable360AM — News briefing for Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 29-30 »

Saturday night's Patriots-Giants simulcast on NFL Network, NBC and CBS was a win-win for sports fans, but not for RCN, which claimed the arrangements were made “without any discussion or advance notice.” The simulcast “devalues” RCN’s contract with NFL Network, RCN said late Friday. RCN is “considering our options,” the carrier said.

The complete statement by Richard Ramlall, RCN SVP, Strategic and External Affairs, follows: "This action by the NFL Network seriously devalues the contract between us and we are considering our options. We paid extra for the right to carry this historic game as well as the other games throughout the season. In effect, the NFL Network is making RCN customers pay extra for what others are getting for free. It's unprecedented that the NFL Network has decided to alter a signed contract without negotiation or consideration of the other parties. If this decision was subject to an instant replay call, it would be overturned as a grievous foul of the rules."