For free? I don't know anyone who gets cable, even basic service, for free.
On the NFL's terms, the network benefits only the NFL.. not the cable companies. The only possible benefit cable could get is if it helped them sell their service, but there is only a seasonal demand for football.. and for some people, myself not included (I love football), there is no demand at all - any time of the year. ;)
Are you sure about that? If so, why do Dish and Direct TV include the NFL network in the basic package -- or "give it away for free" as you say.
Good catch, not free. But I think you knew what I meant. Let me say it more accurately - the NFL wants the cable companies to pay the NFL (reportedly, a relatively steep price) for a new network with the condition that it be added to the basic cable package. I suppose what happens after that is really of no concern to the NFL. Do the cable companies raise the price of basic cable to offset the new cost?
"Big Cable" (as their rivals like to call them) is hypersensitive to any cost increases like this right now, as they are in a highly competitive battle with each other and with DirectTV, satellite providers, etc.
"Are you sure about that? If so, why do Dish and Direct TV include the NFL network in the basic package -- or "give it away for free" as you say."
It's part of their agreement with the NFL. They have to, in order to have rights to the Network. Now, it's still a good question about how beneficial this has been to them, and I'm going to look up a few articles when I have some time to see if there is anything concrete about whether this has helped them gain subscribers. What I remember off the top of my head is reading a couple of years ago that the NFL Ticket was not at all the big boon that Dish Network expected it to be.
Dish has had other problems as well - some households simply cannot use it because of obstructions, etc, but while I'm sure the NFL Ticket lured some football fans to their service, it wasn't a huge draw that Dish could hang their hat on. I'm less familiar with DirectTV.. but either way I might see what I can find out about both.