Dish Network Drops NFL Network & NFL RedZone

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NFL Red Zone and NFL Network have become top television destinations for the moderate to hardcore NFL fan.

Thursday, some (and by some we mean millions) viewers just may have just lost out on their favorite channels to get all their football coverage and games.

It is being reported that Dish Network will be dropping NFL Network and NFL RedZone.

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The reasoning is the contract between the two parties has expired, at 7 p.m. ET Thursday to be exact.

Dish broadcasts to about 14 million subscribers and prior to the relationship coming to an end, NFL Network was available to only 7 million of those customers.

Dish released a statement on the decision: “Our contract with NFL Network has expired,” Dish said in a statement. “We remain open to a fair offer that allows us to carry this content at an appropriate value to our customers.”

The NFL also provided a statement, saying “This represents the first time in NFL Network’s 13-year history that one of its service providers has not continued to offer the network to its subscribers,” the league declares in the statement announcing the development. Dish Network would likely say that this represents one of the rare instances where someone has said to the NFL, “We’re not paying what you want.”

“As the only network 100% dedicated to coverage of America’s most popular sports league, NFL Network is committed to serving the millions of NFL fans by reaching fair distribution agreements with the pay-TV industry,” the league asserts, opting for a somewhat derisive reference to cable/satellite TV providers.

“To avoid missing key NFL action, DISH subscribers should find a provider that carries NFL Network and NFL RedZone now — and the good news is there are plenty of choices,” the league explains. “NFL Network and NFL RedZone are available on XFINITY, Verizon FiOS, Spectrum, and Time Warner Cable. NFL Network also is available on DIRECTV, along with the chance to watch every out-of-market Sunday game live through NFL Sunday Ticket.”