EchoStar Putting NFL Network On Less Penetrated Tier

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

EchoStar is planning to move NFL Network to a less penetrated tier, a move the satellite operator is expected to complete this week, according to several well-placed sources. The move, which would take the network from the America's Top 100 package to America's Top 200, would cut NFL Network's distribution by another 4 million subscribers, putting the channel in front of just 31 million homes. One of the reasons EchoStar is making the move is because it was disappointed in the league's decision to give the season-ending Patriots-Giants game to national over-the-air broadcasters. NFL Manager of Corporate Communications Dan Masonson said, "We're aware of Dish's unfortunate decision, which is not in the best interest of its many subscribers who are football fans, especially this week with NFL Net's exclusive coverage of the scouting combine, featuring incoming college football players from all over the country." EchoStar did not respond by presstime.

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