(cont)... Basic Digital Package

Aug. 3--Comcast's pending acquisition of Time Warner Cable's Houston franchise means that NFL Network will be available on the city's largest cable system next year, but it doesn't improve the odds that the channel will be available on Houston cable when it starts its eight-game schedule in November.

Time Warner announced Wednesday that Comcast will acquire full ownership of the Houston system, which is listed by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association as the nation's largest system with 764,903 subscribers, when the companies dissolve their joint venture in Houston, Kansas City and parts of south and southwest Texas next year.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, with 23.3 million subscribers to Time Warner's 14.4 million, carries NFL Network on its digital basic lineup under an agreement signed two years ago.

Time Warner, however, wants to limit its carriage of NFL Network to a digital sports tier, which currently costs $3 per month in addition to basic cable fees. NFL Network wants to be available as part of Time Warner's basic cable package, and the sides have been unable to reach an agreement.

NFL Network has launched an advertising campaign encouraging fans to demand that Time Warner add the service, suggesting that they switch to satellite providers DirecTV or Dish Network if Time Warner does not comply. Time Warner has countered with a Web site --
www.nflgetreal.com


-- on which it says the NFL is "out of step with the public" by demanding broad carriage for what it describes as a specialized channel.


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