The NFL is "talking to networks about buying a stake" in NFL Network as "part of the bidding for the rights to broadcast 'Thursday Night Football,'" according to Claire Atkinson of the N.Y. POST. Sources said that the league is "shopping an extended 16-game package, along with a stake in the NFL Network, in a potential move that could protect its cable network." The NFL is "concerned about the NFL Network’s future" in an era of cord cutting. Sources said that if the NFL "decides to sell broadcast rights to the network’s 16 games, its distribution partners will likely seek to ratchet down affiliate fees during the next set of carriage negotiations." NFL Network’s contracts with cable, satellite and telecom operators "stipulate the league must keep eight games exclusively on the network." Sources said that the NFL also "held discussions about selling the network to ESPN, but that deal fell apart because the league had tried to retain control over what games would actually appear there." ESPN "appears to be absent" from the most recent negotiations (N.Y. POST, 11/24).
THE MORE, THE MERRIER: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Marisa Guthrie reports the NFL is "likely to extend the length" of the "TNF" package "significantly to bring it in line with other TV rights pacts, most of which run" through the '22 season. Analysts predict that a long-term "TNF" arrangement could go for $600M annually and "potentially much higher when dealmaking begins in earnest in January." Guthrie notes CBS, Fox, NBC and Turner have "signaled interest in the Thursday package." As the incumbent, CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus "would seem to have an advantage," though the package is "said to be a top priority" for NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke. Turner Sports also has "indicated a strong desire" for landing "TNF" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 12/4 issue).
