League, DISH Network Resolve Their Differences

The NFL and DISH Network have settled a lawsuit that will keep NFLN on DISH Network -- but that apparently won’t put it back onto the system’s 100-channel package. Instead, NFLN reportedly will remain on the second-tier, 200-channel package. The problem arose from the league’s decision to simulcast the December 2007 game between the Patriots and Giants on CBS and NBC. The contest, during which the Patriots completed the first 16-0 regular season in league history, was supposed to be shown exclusively on NFL Network. NFLN moved to the top-100 package when the network began to show regular-season games. When the league, apparently bowing to political pressure, decided to simulcast the high-profile contest, DISH Network removed NFLN from the top-100 lineup, contending that the contract had been breached. “We are very pleased that our NFL Network will continue to be distributed in millions of homes on DISH Network,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We look forward to having our Network’s upcoming coverage of the April 25-26 NFL Draft showcased on DISH Network.” It’s a good start. Now, if that spirit of compromise would only infect the relationship between NFLN and Comcast, things might get interesting.