History of NFL Network in Timeline
NFL Network is a pay television channel owned by the National Football League, a part of NFL Media. It is dedicated to American football, featuring NFL game telecasts and NFL-related content such as analysis programs, specials, and documentaries. Headquartered near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with broadcast operations in Atlanta, Georgia, and facilities in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, the network provides football content to viewers worldwide.
November 4, 2003: NFL Network Launched
On November 4, 2003, NFL Network was officially launched, following a unanimous vote by the league's 32 team owners to approve its formation. The league invested $100 million to fund the network's operations.
August 2004: NFL Network HD Launched
In August 2004, NFL Network HD, a 1080i high definition simulcast feed of NFL Network, was launched.
2004: Charter Communications Carries NFL Network
In 2004, Charter Communications became one of the first multiple system operators to provide NFL Network, including NFL HD and NFL On Demand on its digital-basic programming.
2004: Carriage Agreement Reached With Insight Communications
In 2004, Insight Communications reached a carriage agreement with the NFL Network to carry the network on the provider's digital tier, in addition to carrying NFL Network On Demand and NFL Network HD.
2004: NFL Network Approved in Canada
In 2004, the CRTC approved NFL Network for distribution on Canadian television providers. NFL Network-exclusive live games are blacked out on the Canadian feed, as those games are aired on Bell Media's networks, including TSN and CTV/CTV 2.
2004: NFL Network Refuses Cablevision
In 2004, the NFL Network refused to be carried on Cablevision.
2004: Network Site Launched
In 2004, the NFL Network's website was launched on NFL.com, expanding the network's digital presence.
December 2005: NFL Network Pulls From Charter
In December 2005, the NFL Network pulled itself from Charter and filed a breach of contract suit against the provider in the New York Supreme Court over contract language regarding distribution, reportedly seeking a 125% rate increase and placement on Charter's expanded basic tiers.
November 10, 2006: Comcast Adds NFL Network
On November 10, 2006, Comcast announced it would add NFL Network on its digital tier in time for the debut of Thursday Night Football.
November 23, 2006: Insight Didn't Show First Game
On November 23, 2006, Insight Communications did not show the first-ever game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs due to the extra surcharge providers pay to carry the games.
2006: Free Preview on Select Systems
From December 24 to 30, 2006, NFL Network offered a free preview to Suddenlink Communications systems in West Texas, and to Time Warner Cable and Cablevision systems in the New York City area. The package included the Texas Bowl and Insight Bowl, but excluded that week's NFL game between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins.
2006: NFL Network and Dish Network Agreement
In 2006, NFL Network and Dish Network came to an agreement for carriage on America's Top 100 package. This agreement was later violated by Dish Network, leading to a lawsuit in 2009.
2006: Televising College Football Bowl Games
In 2006, NFL Network began a foray into televising college football bowl games, acquiring rights to the newly established Texas Bowl in Houston, the Insight Bowl, as well as two all-star events—the Senior Bowl and the Las Vegas All-American Classic. The 2006 Insight Bowl featured the largest comeback victory in Division I FBS bowl game history.
2006: NFL Network Added to Cablevision
In 2006, the dispute between NFL Network and Cablevision ended, and the network was added to Cablevision.
2006: Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth Announce Thursday Night Football
In 2006, when Thursday Night Football premiered, veteran television announcer Bryant Gumbel served as play-by-play announcer, with former Fox and current NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth serving as color commentator for the broadcasts. Collinsworth won the Sports Emmy for best game analyst for his work on the NFL Network telecasts.
2006: Introduction of Original Game Broadcasts
In the 2006 season, NFL Network introduced original game broadcasts via the Run to the Playoffs—a late-season package of Thursday- and Saturday-night games, branded as Thursday Night Football and Saturday Night Football respectively.
2006: Thursday Night Football Broadcasts Begin
Starting in the 2006 season, NFL Network began broadcasting eight regular-season NFL games during Thursday prime time, branded as Thursday Night Football. Also in 2006, the network began providing coverage of the NFL draft.
April 14, 2007: Nebraska Cornhuskers Spring Game Televised
On April 14, 2007, NFL Network televised the Nebraska Cornhuskers' spring football game.
May 2007: Court Ruling in Favor of Comcast
In May 2007, there was a court ruling in favor of Comcast regarding carriage of the NFL Network.
June 2007: Aired High School All-Star Games
In June 2007, NFL Network aired two high school all-star games: the Bayou Bowl between players from Texas and Louisiana on June 9 and the Big 33 Football Classic between players from Pennsylvania and Ohio on June 16.
August 6, 2007: Comcast Moves NFL Network
On August 6, 2007, Comcast moved NFL Network from its digital tiers to the Sports Entertainment Package, leading to a court battle between NFL Network and Comcast.
December 2007: Senator Kerry Urges Agreement for Simulcast
In December 2007, U.S. Senator John Kerry wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell urging a resolution to carriage disputes for the New England Patriots-New York Giants game on December 29. An agreement was reached to simulcast the game on NBC and CBS alongside NFL Network.
December 20, 2007: NFL Network Proposes Binding Arbitration to Time Warner Cable
On December 20, 2007, the NFL Network proposed to Time Warner Cable to enter into binding arbitration to determine the price and tier for NFL Network on the provider's systems.
December 29, 2007: Offer to Make Patriots-Giants Game Immediately Available
On December 29, 2007, the NFL Network offered to make the Patriots-Giants game immediately available to Time Warner Cable subscribers upon agreement to participate in the arbitration process.
2007: Collinsworth Replaced on Thursday Night Football
In 2007, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders replaced Collinsworth when needed on Thursday Night Football broadcasts.
2007: NFL Network Broadcasts Hall of Fame Game
In 2007, NFL Network broadcast the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.
2007: NFL Network Simulcast
In 2007, The NFL Network's decision to simulcast the New England Patriots-New York Giants game on CBS and NBC, led to a dispute with Dish Network which ultimately resulted in NFL Network filling a suit against Dish Network.
2007: Carriage Restrictions Controversy
In 2007, the NFL Network faced controversy due to carriage restrictions, particularly for a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers.
February 2008: NFL Network and ESPN Partnership Discussions
In February 2008, The Wall Street Journal reported that the NFL and Disney executives discussed a potential partnership between NFL Network and ESPN to bolster NFL Network.
February 20, 2008: Dish Network Moved NFL Network
On February 20, 2008, Dish Network moved the NFL Network from the "America's Top 100" package to the "America's Top 200" package, resulting in a loss of four million subscribers for NFL Network.
February 26, 2008: New York Court Reverses Judgment
On February 26, 2008, a New York appellate court reversed a May 2007 judgment that allowed Comcast to move NFL Network from its second-most distributed tier to the company's sports tier.
February 27, 2008: NFL Network to Sue Dish Network
On February 27, 2008, the NFL Network announced its intention to sue Dish Network for moving the network to the "America's Top 200" package after the NFL Network's decision to simulcast the 2007 New England Patriots-New York Giants game on CBS and NBC.
March 2008: NFL No Longer Encouraged Switching to Dish
As of March 2008, the NFL stopped encouraging customers to switch to Dish Network on the IWantMyNFL.com website. The network instead encouraged customers to switch to DirecTV, Verizon FiOS, or AT&T U-verse if their provider did not carry the network or placed it on a higher-priced tier.
October 10, 2008: FCC Ruling on Discrimination Case
On October 10, 2008, the FCC ruled on the discrimination case filed by NFL Network against Comcast.
October 2008: In-Studio Programs in Enhanced HD
In mid-October 2008, NFL Network's in-studio programs started airing in "enhanced HD," featuring additional scores and statistics on a dedicated wing visible only on the HD feed.
2008: Saturday Games Dropped from Package
After most Saturday games were dropped from the package beginning in the 2008 season, all of the games were branded as Thursday Night Football regardless of night beginning in 2009.
2008: UK Availability Rumors
In 2008, reports surfaced that NFL Network would become available in the United Kingdom, but this did not occur.
2008: NFL Network Aired Insight, Texas, and Senior Bowls
In late 2007 and early 2008, the NFL Network aired the Insight, Texas, and Senior bowls.
January 15, 2009: NFL Network Wins Lawsuit Against Dish Network
On January 15, 2009, New York State Supreme Court Judge Rich Lowe ruled in favor of the NFL Network, stating that Dish Network violated their 2006 agreement for carriage on America's Top 100 package by moving it to the America's Top 200 package. However, the judge did not order Dish Network to immediately move the channel to the lower package.
April 10, 2009: Comcast to Remove NFL Network
On April 10, 2009, it was confirmed that Comcast would remove NFL Network on that date due to failing to reach a carriage agreement.
April 14, 2009: Trial Begins Before Administrative Law Judge
On April 14, 2009, the trial regarding the NFL Network and Comcast dispute began before an administrative law judge.
April 17, 2009: Comcast Chairman Testifies
On April 17, 2009, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts testified that Comcast was willing to move NFL Network to a lower-priced base package if the subscriber fee was reduced to 25¢ per month.
April 30, 2009: NFL Network Carried on Comcast Temporarily
On April 30, 2009, NFL Network announced that it would continue to be carried on Comcast in the interim while both sides tried to reach an agreement on a new contract.
May 1, 2009: NFL Total Access Full HD Upgrade
On May 1, 2009, NFL Total Access began airing in full HD without pillarboxing or enhanced graphics.
May 19, 2009: NFL and Comcast Reach Ten-Year Agreement
On May 19, 2009, the NFL and Comcast reached a ten-year agreement to place NFL Network on Comcast's Digital Classic package by August 1, 2009.
July 30, 2009: NFL Network Available to Lower-Tiered Comcast Subscribers
On July 30, 2009, NFL Network was made available to lower-tiered Comcast digital cable subscribers.
August 1, 2009: NFL Network on Comcast's Digital Classic Package
By August 1, 2009, as part of a deal reached in May, NFL Network was placed on Comcast's Digital Classic package.
2009: All Games Branded as Thursday Night Football
Beginning in 2009, after most Saturday games were dropped from the package, all of the games were branded as Thursday Night Football regardless of the night they were played.
2009: Network App Launched
In 2009, NFL Network's app was launched, providing mobile access to the network's content.
July 1, 2010: Live Canadian Football League Games Simulcast
On July 1, 2010, NFL Network began airing live Canadian Football League games simulcast from Canadian sports network TSN.
August 20, 2010: National Cable Television Cooperative Agreement
On August 20, 2010, the National Cable Television Cooperative reached an agreement, of which Suddenlink Communications is a member, to carry the NFL Network on the organization's participating providers. Suddenlink announced it would offer NFL Network and NFL RedZone and immediately began carrying the channels, with rollout expected by September 12, the first Sunday of the NFL's 2010 regular season.
August 2011: Charter and NFL Network Reach Agreement
In August 2011, Charter Communications and the NFL Network announced a new, long-term agreement to carry the NFL Network and RedZone in time for the 2011 season.
2011: Exclusive HD Feed
In 2011, most providers began to exclusively carry the HD feed of NFL Network, downscaling it for analog viewers.
January 2012: Insight Acquired by Time Warner Cable
In January 2012, Insight Communications was acquired by Time Warner Cable.
May 25, 2012: NFL Network Ends Contract with CFL
On May 25, 2012, NFL Network announced it would not renew its contract with the CFL.
July 2012: Standard Definition Feed Discontinued
In July 2012, the standard definition feed of NFL Network was discontinued, coinciding with the introduction of the network's current logo.
2012: Termination of Arena Football League Broadcast Contract
NFL Network ceased airing Arena Football League games partway through the 2012 season due to ongoing labor problems within the league. The remaining games were carried on tape delay before the network terminated the league broadcast contract outright at the end of the season.
2012: Thursday Night Football Expansion
Starting with the 2012 season, Thursday Night Football expanded to include a weekly game from Weeks 2 through 15, as well as one Saturday night game during Week 16.
2014: Sub-Licensing Agreement with CBS Established
In the 2014 NFL season, the NFL established a sub-licensing agreement with CBS to increase the prominence of the Thursday Night Football package, under which a portion of the package would air in simulcast on broadcast television, and CBS Sports would produce all games.
2014: NFL Network Broadcasts Preseason Games
Prior to 2014, NFL Network occasionally broadcast selected preseason games as special editions of Thursday Night Football.
February 2015: Peak Television Household Availability
In February 2015, NFL Network reached its peak availability, being present in approximately 71.1 million television households in the United States. This was before a decline to 51.5 million households by June 2023.
2015: Suspension of Blackout Rules
Prior to the suspension of blackout rules in 2015, NFL Network telecasts were aired on a designated broadcast television station in the primary markets of the participating teams only if the televised game sold out all remaining available tickets 72 hours prior to the game's start time.
June 16, 2016: Dish and NFL Network Contract Expires
On June 16, 2016, the contract between Dish and the NFL Network expired at 7 PM ET, resulting in the removal of the NFL Network and NFL RedZone from Dish's lineup. This marked the first time in NFL Network's history that a carriage agreement expired without a new agreement in place before the deadline.
August 11, 2016: Sling TV Adds NFL Network and NFL RedZone
On August 11, 2016, Dish subsidiary Sling TV added both NFL Network and NFL RedZone to its lineup as part of a new carriage agreement, in time for the start of the 2016 NFL preseason schedule.
2016: NBC Sports Gains Portion of Thursday Night Football Package
In 2016, NBC Sports also gained a portion of the Thursday Night Football package under a similar arrangement as CBS.
2016: NFL RedZone Replays During Offseason
Starting in 2016, NFL Network began replaying one week of NFL RedZone every Sunday during the offseason from the previous season.
2017: NFL Network on DAZN
As of 2017, NFL Network is offered as part of DAZN's NFL Game Pass service.
2017: NFL Network and RedZone on DAZN in Germany
Since the 2017 season, NFL Network and NFL RedZone are part of the IPTV subscription service DAZN, offering NFL RedZone to German viewers.
2018: Fox Sports Takes Over Thursday Night Football Package
From 2018 to 2022, Fox Sports took over the Thursday Night Football package.
2018: NFL Draft Simulcast with Fox Sports
In 2018, NFL Network's coverage of the NFL draft was simulcast in a co-production with Fox Sports for one year only.
January 31, 2019: Multi-Year Deal to Air Alliance of American Football Games
On January 31, 2019, NFL Network signed a multi-year deal to air Alliance of American Football games, broadcasting two games per week.
April 15, 2019: AT&T U-verse Removes NFL Network
On April 15, 2019, AT&T U-verse removed the NFL Network and NFL RedZone from its lineup.
May 2019: Four-Year Deal with Conference USA Announced
In May 2019, NFL Network announced a four-year deal with Conference USA to air a weekly regular-season game on Saturday afternoons beginning in the 2019 season.
2019: NFL Network Expresses Interest in CFL Games
In 2019, NFL Network expressed interest in picking up CFL games again after its previous deal with ESPN expired.
2019: ABC Gains Exclusive Over-the-Air Broadcast Rights
In 2019, exclusive over-the-air broadcast rights to the NFL Draft moved to ABC, with ESPN producing a different broadcast for 'casual' fans.
2019: Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic
Since 2019, NFL Network has annually carried the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, a college football kickoff game that features a matchup of two historically black colleges and universities on the Sunday before Labor Day.
June 19, 2020: NFL Network Removed from Sling
NFL Network was available on Sling until June 19, 2020.
2020: NFL Draft Coverage Simulcast with ESPN
In 2020, NFL Network simulcast ESPN's coverage of that year's NFL Draft, which was produced remotely from the basement of commissioner Roger Goodell’s home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Sky Sports NFL Broadcasts
Since 2020, Sky Sports NFL has broadcast significant elements of NFL Network programming in the UK, including Good Morning Football and NFL Total Access. NFL RedZone also airs in its entirety on Sky Sports Mix.
September 8, 2021: NFL Media Moves to Hollywood Park
On September 8, 2021, NFL Network, along with the rest of NFL Media, relocated to a 200,000-square-foot space on the campus of Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, which also features SoFi Stadium.
2022: Return to Carrying College Football Games
In the 2022 season, NFL Network returned to carrying regular college football games through a weekly sub-license agreement with ESPN.
2022: NFL RedZone DirecTV Exclusive Ends
The DirecTV-exclusive channel which was a part of NFL Sunday Ticket ended after the 2022 season.
2022: Amazon Prime Video Takes Over Thursday Night Football Exclusive Rights
With Amazon Prime Video taking over exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football beginning in the 2022 season, NFL Network switched to a package consisting primarily of Sunday morning NFL International Series games, and late-season Saturday games.
June 2023: Availability in Television Households Declines
In June 2023, NFL Network was available in 51.5 million television households in the United States, marking a decrease from the 71.1 million households reported in February 2015, reflecting the ongoing trend of cord-cutting.
2023: NFL Network Broadcasts Delayed Games from OT7
For the 2023 off-season, the NFL Network broadcast delayed games from the 7-on-7 Overtime's football league (OT7).
2024: NFL Network had live coverage of OT7's five-week regular season
In 2024, the NFL Network had live coverage of OT7's five-week regular season.
2024: NFL Network Broadcasts AFL Games
In March 2024 the NFL announced they would broadcast 30 regular season games from the 2024 revival of the AFL on NFL Network. The league never carried any games, with West Texas Desert Hawks owner Zack Bugg accusing the network of malfeasance after he personally paid for one of his team's games to be televised only for the network never to carry it. Another league member, the Albany Firebirds, indicated that the network had refused to carry the games because the league had a number of small-market teams that 'scared (them) off.'
August 5, 2025: NFL Announces Agreement with ESPN Inc.
On August 5, 2025, the NFL announced an agreement with ESPN Inc. to acquire NFL Network, RedZone, and NFL Fantasy for an undisclosed amount, pending regulatory approval. The NFL would acquire a 10% equity stake in ESPN as part of the sale.
2026: Potential Changes to Take Effect
Even if the deal gets regulatory approval, most of the changes may not take effect until at least the 2026 NFL season.
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