The NFL Moves Towards Their Own T.V. Network

The Washington Post reports:

Last week, executives decided the NFL would broadcast a package of eight Thursday and Saturday games next season on the league's two-year-old cable TV venture, the NFL Network, rather than sell the rights to a traditional broadcaster. By keeping the games in-house, the NFL will collect the handsome advertising fees and control all aspects of the broadcasts.

Fans won't have to pay to see their home teams in the Thursday and Saturday matchups; games shown on the NFL Network will also be broadcast free on local television. The league will hire announcers and production crews and promises that the coverage will be enhanced by the addition of exclusive NFL film and online resources. The arrangement puts creative control in the NFL's hands, providing an opportunity for the league to freely manage its image.

"This is a forthright, aggressive move -- it's a sign of the strength of their brand," said Brandon Steiner, chief executive of Steiner Sports Marketing Inc., a company that matches athletes with corporate sponsorships. "Is there going to be a day when we're going to watch all our ball games on league stations?

Who knows someday all games maybe pay per view.