Editing NFL Network (section)

==== Comcast trial ====
The trial before an administrative law judge (as ordered above) began on April 14, 2009.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/196111-NFL_Network_s_FCC_Program_Access_Complaint_Against_Comcast_Kicks_Off_Tuesday.php NFL Network's FCC Program-Access Complaint Against Comcast Kicks Off Tuesday – ALJ Will Hear Network's Case Against Operator; Other Huddles To Follow], ''MultiChannel News'', April 13, 2009</ref> On April 17, 2009, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts testified that the provider was willing to move the channel from the Sports Entertainment Package to a lower-priced base package if the subscriber fee was reduced to 25¢ per month (at that time, NFL Network was charging 75¢ per month). He claimed that overall, Comcast saved $50 million a year in license fees by leaving the channel on its Sports Package, which in turn led to savings for its customers.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/209442-Updated_Comcast_Would_Move_NFL_Network_Off_Tier_If_Service_Drops_Price_Roberts.php Updated: Comcast Would Move NFL Network Off Tier If Service Drops Price: Roberts – Monthly License Fee Of 25 Cents Could Trigger Broader Distribution] ''Multichannel News'' April 17, 2009</ref>

On April 30, 2009, NFL Network ''Total Access'' correspondent [[Lindsey Soto]] reported Comcast would continue to carry the network after its contract expired at midnight as negotiations proceeded. On May 19, 2009, the NFL and Comcast reached a ten-year agreement to place NFL Network on Comcast's Digital Classic package by August 1, 2009, for a monthly price between 45 and 50¢, instead of the 70¢ fee that the NFL originally requested.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d81065fa0&template=without-video&confirm=true NFL, Comcast reach long-term carriage agreement for NFL Network] ''NFL.com'', May 19, 2009</ref> This deal led to speculation that other cable operators would end their holdouts and try to reach deals that would bring the network to a wider audience. {{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

{{As of|2011|1|3}}, the NFL Network was available only on the Digital Preferred or Sports package on Comcast's Xfinity system in Atlanta, Georgia, and not on a Digital Classic package (which does not exist). This is contrary to the above-mentioned agreement between Comcast and the NFL.