Possible Big Changes for NFL Schedule.

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Although changes could be a few years away, NFL fans shouldn't get too comfortable on their couches.
In the next TV contract for 2006, February might be a month with more playoff games. And fans could have an extra hour of Sunday leisure.



The NFL has floated several proposals to the TV networks to alter programming. Which proposal do you think is the best?

Move back Sunday kickoff times an hour
Drop the AFC/NFC designations for Sunday games
Start the season one or two weeks later
Switch 'Monday Night Football' to Thursdays
Add a fifth package of games to another network


Moving back the start of the season at least a week and pushing back kickoff times for Sunday games are among the proposals former ESPN/ABC Sports President Steve Bornstein has asked the networks to consider in negotiations. Bornstein, hired as NFL executive vice president, is charged with boosting the rights fees from the current eight-year, $17.8 billion deal.

It is expected that negotiations could be conducted this fall, a year sooner than scheduled.

Two high-ranking network executives outlined the proposal, but Bornstein and officials from Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC/ESPN and HBO declined comment.

"I am aware of some of these discussion points," TV consultant Neal Pilson said Thursday. "I think it makes sense the league is consulting with its partners on how to improve the television packages. I'm sure the networks welcome being consulted."

IMG's Barry Frank said, "I certainly respect the fact the NFL should explore every possibility. I'd think everybody would agree on moving up the negotiations.

"It's a good time to be negotiating. The ratings are strong and business has picked up."

Other proposals the NFL has floated to the networks:

• Move back starting times for Sunday afternoon games on Fox and CBS an hour to 2 and 5 p.m. ET. A similar move in playoff games has resulted in higher ratings. CBS would probably be against the plan because it would further delay "60 Minutes," the network's highly successful news program.

• Drop the AFC/NFC delineations on Sunday afternoon games. Fox and CBS would alternately choose games when the schedule is determined in April.

• Move back the start of the season one to two weeks, with the goal of moving some of the playoffs into the February TV ratings sweeps period.

• Move ABC's Monday Night Football to Thursday. That probably won't happen as MNF's ratings improved last year and NBC and CBS have traditionally had stronger counter programming on Thursday.

• Add a fifth TV package of games, possibly on Thursday nights. TNT, HBO and Fox/Comcast figure to be interested in a new package that might be valued at $500 million to $800 million a year. If the NFL obtains 3% to 5% increases in the present packages, it likely would not pursue an extra TV partner.


By Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY
 

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theyre so stupid. this is how you bring up the ratings:

1. bring back team celebration allow all celebrations
2. do something about pass interference. it sucks.
3. get rid of roughing the kicker and passer sissy crap. in other words make it so there actually has to be a GOOD ammount of contact.
4. get better looking women to show their breasts at half time and not janet jackson.


I do agree with this: Add a fifth package of games to another network . . .the fans need more to choose from. I get stuck with the bills or the jets so many times it is rediculous. and they arent even my market.
 

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The game itself on the field needs some serious fine tuning. Whether you are a fan or have a bet, after every play it seems we have to hold our breath to first see if no flags are on the field, and second, make sure the play does'nt get reviewed. Sure these things work both ways, but some of the penalties last season were ridiculas. Same with the review process, delays seemed interminable.

A new prime-time event game every week would not bother me, and would be good for sportsbooks. Like MNF and SNF a third night would get lots of action.

I could care less about half-time shows or cheerleaders.

wil.
 

Another Day, Another Dollar
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Bring me a Mon, Thur, & Sun night game.
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The game needs to be sped up, it gets very annoying after every single play the collective 'hold your beath' did everything come off without a penalty, did the player 'catch and control' the ball...is the coach going to throw the red flag, is it reviewable, did the ref see all the replay angles we saw at home (which happens alot)..

But its no different then baseball where after every pitch the batter needs to collect himself, adjust his batting gloves , step out for 30 seconds, make sure he is still breathing, check all the coaches for signs, ask the ump to check the ball, adjust his cup, fix his helmet, stare at the bat label, and then he`s ready to go....

...then the pitcher throws over to first,lol
 

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Actually the best and most effective rule change would be......

ELIMINATE ALL PUNTING!! EVERY TEAM HAS TO GO FOR IT ON 4TH DOWN!

Then the game would be da' bomb.
 

hacheman@therx.com
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Here we go again tampering with game times to try to suit West Coast residents more so. There's no reason at all to push game~time starts back other than that, and no offense to any of you guys that live over there, but I don't feel everthing should be catered just for that area.......
 

I am sorry for using the "R" word - and NOTHING EL
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how about starting games 3.5 hours apart - say 9:30A and 1P (Pacific Time) - this way game will rarely overlap.

having said that the nfl KNOWS doing such a thing would help gamblers and the books (games will end - and money can be re-bet) - so they won't do it.

j-man: you should then live in CA. it is GREAT. games start @ 10A - you wake up and pretty soon it is gametime!
 

hacheman@therx.com
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windy, those 10:00 NFL games are just "crazy" when I go to Vegas!
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It is so weird, like you say, to wake up and bam, the 1st games are already on, when you are used to them starting at 1:00 pm. Even more odd is at 4:00 when the games are over with.......Kind of sad actually.....
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Moving the games til 2pm is a good idea.
Starting the season later is good also...networks want badweather games when it goes into Feb,

Overtime, both teams must have had at least 1 possession of the ball.

Have the flying Wallendas perform after every score for Rob Funk
 

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i like my games at 1pm and 4pm

perfect


does anybody really live on the west coast
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Hell it makes more sense than Thursday...its the weekend, people in bars are going to watch, it seems more would be tuned in on a friday then a monday...

I am all for 1 prime time game every night actually...atleast 4 nights a week!

Overtime rule should be , you must score a touchdown to win...
 

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Friday night is High School Football night in the US. The NFL and NCAA don't want to mess with the source of their talent pool. I think its a good thing that they don't, not that I would'nt mind NFL on Friday night.


wil.
 

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Wil. thanks for the answer....makes sense

I wish more games started at different times, like all other sports ( I realize the TV contract is why this is not the case ) but it would be cool to see say SF@SEA with a 10:30pm east coast start time, that will never happen but I would like it,lol... the NFL is the only sport where every single game seems to matter....
 

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After living in Vegas for 17+ years and now living in Florida for the last 2 years, friends ask me if I miss Vegas.

Well not really, but two things I really trully miss are IN-N-OUT Burger and 10AM Sunday morning football!!
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> • Add a fifth TV package of games, possibly on Thursday nights. TNT, HBO and Fox/Comcast figure to be interested in a new package that might be valued at $500 million to $800 million a year. If the NFL obtains 3% to 5% increases in the present packages, it likely would not pursue an extra TV partner. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
add a fifth package
 

International Playa
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Don't be fooled. MNF ratings may have gone down over the years but the percentage of people watching MNF of those watching TV has actually gone UP! 2003-04 was the highest pct EVER for MNF. In other words (I am making these #'s up) of all people watching TV in 1982 10% watched MNF while in 2003 17% were watching MNF. Again I am making up the #'s becasue I dont recall what they are but please dont be fooled. MNF is doing fine. As far as Thursday Night games...I wish they had MNF and TNF (Thursday) I would like to replace Sunday Night with Thursday night. FOr me PERSONALLY it makes sense...I watch NFL all day and Sunday Nights are a good night to spend with my wife and kids...good family night, I would prefer Thursday Nihgt games over Sunday night....but thats just me....
 

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