NFL, Comcast Deal Will Include “On Demand” Content

The NFL has officially announced, via that dinosaur known as a “press release,” its agreement with Comcast. The deal includes a feature not previously disclosed. Per the release, Comcast customers will now have access to a “robust suite of NFL content On Demand, including game highlights, game replays, the ‘best’ of NFL Films, players and coaches interviews, local team highlights, and other NFL programming whenever they want a piece of the action.” But NFL Network still won’t appear on Comcast’s basic service package. Instead, NFLN will move from a current digital tier to the “Digital Classic” package, which will result in the content being available to two-thirds of all Comcast customers -- a major upgrade over the current availability of NFLN. The launch is scheduled to happen by August 1. “We are very pleased that NFL Network and other NFL content will be widely distributed in millions of more homes on Comcast’s service,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We look forward to having NFL Network’s coverage of training camps and the preseason showcased this summer on Comcast. NFL Network is the only TV channel devoted exclusively to football 24/7, 365 days a year.” Comcast and the NFL also agreed to take immediate steps to discontinue all pending legal disputes between the two companies. UPDATE: The deal also includes, as previously reported, the Red Zone Channel, when the Red Zone Channel becomes available. Under the new deal between the NFL and DirecTV, it will be available not later than 2012.