According to profootballweekly.com
Expect a couple of changes to NBC’s Sunday-night slate
By Barry Jackson
Nov. 9, 2007
Look for a few game changes — but not a lot — when NBC begins Year Two of flexible Sunday-night scheduling.
To refresh, here’s how it works: Thirteen days before NBC’s games in Weeks 11 through 16, the league will decide whether to change NBC’s assignment. The decision will be made six days before NBC’s Week 17 telecast. CBS and Fox can each protect five games in Weeks 11 through 16, but not more than one per week. They can’t protect any games in Week 17. No teams can appear more than four times on NBC.
At least three of the games are very likely to remain on NBC’s schedule: Eagles-Patriots on Nov. 25, Colts-Ravens on Dec. 9 and Redskins-Giants on Dec. 16. The Nov. 18 Bears-Seahawks game was replaced by Patriots-Bills.
Here’s how the three other flex schedule Sundays stack up:
Bengals-Steelers on Dec. 2: Though the game isn’t particularly attractive, there’s no clear-cut superior option. Lions-Vikings is one possibility. Two games have been protected that day — Jets-Colts and Giants-Bears.
Buccaneers-49ers on Dec. 23: This one likely will be dumped. Best available options: Redskins-Vikings or Giants-Bills.
Chiefs-Jets on Dec. 30: Figures to be replaced by Titans-Colts or Lions-Packers. Keep in mind that the league’s intent isn’t to give NBC what is necessarily the best game, but to make sure it doesn’t carry a horrendous game with no playoff implications. The league must balance NBC’s wishes against those of CBS and Fox, who clearly don’t want to lose marquee games on their schedule.
AROUND THE DIAL
The Patriots’ finale on Dec. 29 at the Giants will be on NFL Network, meaning New England’s bid to make history (if the Pats are still unbeaten) would be available in just 35 million of the nation’s 112 million TV households.
Expect a couple of changes to NBC’s Sunday-night slate
By Barry Jackson
Nov. 9, 2007
Look for a few game changes — but not a lot — when NBC begins Year Two of flexible Sunday-night scheduling.
To refresh, here’s how it works: Thirteen days before NBC’s games in Weeks 11 through 16, the league will decide whether to change NBC’s assignment. The decision will be made six days before NBC’s Week 17 telecast. CBS and Fox can each protect five games in Weeks 11 through 16, but not more than one per week. They can’t protect any games in Week 17. No teams can appear more than four times on NBC.
At least three of the games are very likely to remain on NBC’s schedule: Eagles-Patriots on Nov. 25, Colts-Ravens on Dec. 9 and Redskins-Giants on Dec. 16. The Nov. 18 Bears-Seahawks game was replaced by Patriots-Bills.
Here’s how the three other flex schedule Sundays stack up:
Bengals-Steelers on Dec. 2: Though the game isn’t particularly attractive, there’s no clear-cut superior option. Lions-Vikings is one possibility. Two games have been protected that day — Jets-Colts and Giants-Bears.
Buccaneers-49ers on Dec. 23: This one likely will be dumped. Best available options: Redskins-Vikings or Giants-Bills.
Chiefs-Jets on Dec. 30: Figures to be replaced by Titans-Colts or Lions-Packers. Keep in mind that the league’s intent isn’t to give NBC what is necessarily the best game, but to make sure it doesn’t carry a horrendous game with no playoff implications. The league must balance NBC’s wishes against those of CBS and Fox, who clearly don’t want to lose marquee games on their schedule.
AROUND THE DIAL
The Patriots’ finale on Dec. 29 at the Giants will be on NFL Network, meaning New England’s bid to make history (if the Pats are still unbeaten) would be available in just 35 million of the nation’s 112 million TV households.
Comment