My understanding from what I have been reading is that NBC would have had rights to the game in prime-time or CBS would have had the game on an afternoon schedule -- thus, CBS and NBC, and Fox is out in the cold. So either CBS and NBC simulcast or neither network gets it.

I think the logic behind the CBS move is that if this was a regular network game, CBS would have the rights since it is an AFC team on the road. I would think NBC would get thown a bone since they have the network primetime contract. Fox would have never been able to show this game in any scenario, since it is not two NFC teams, or an NFC road game.

Exactly.

the reason why NBC is part of this simulcast is because they are the prime-time over the air network, and CBS is part of it becasue they would have had the game if it wasn't on NFL Network. I think if the game involed two NFC teams Fox would have been involed.

Agreed, this game would never have been on FOX, for AFC is visitor.

What's on FOX Sat. night? Cops?

Pretty much agree with the above posts. FOX never had a chance at this game anyway so why give them a chance now.

I think this is a totally made up "conspiracy" that somebody is using just try to use to get even more buzz for this game. It's a complete fraud dude.

CBS would have had the rights to the game if it had been a regular Sunday afternoon game and NBC would have had the rights to it had not been scheduled for the NFL Network at the beginning of the season. NBC would have dropped one of their Patriots broadcasts and taken this one. It would be a no-brainer.

this might be a dumb question, but is each network running their own commericals?

The scenerios above make sense, but, then again, why was ESPN considering/offered the option? Or were they?

The NFL wouldn't give Fox the game unless they promised to get rid of that f-ing robot.

OK, it doesn't make as much sense as the previous explanations, but I'd like to think that's true.

I think the more interesting story is the local stations in the Boston and New York areas that forked over tons of money to show the games in the local markets because the game is on TV/satellite and now they are out in the cold. They getting some money back? Going to court because the NFL is violating the contracts?

It's a bit of a strech, but FOX does have the Super Bowl and the NFL probably figured let's throw everyone else a bone on this one, since FOX will have the possible 19-0 game. The more likely reason is the CBS/AFC road team reasoning. If ESPN had the game, as much as Tony Kornheiser is disliked, wouldn't it be better to have Mike and Jaws doing the game with Tony, as apposed to anyone with Gumble? One last question, does 16-0 mean anything if you don't go 19-0?

Cops > NFL in Fox's eyes.

Michael is clearly not a Pats fan...Do you seriously think that team is not going all the way? People in NE will never have to answer your question.

Good work on the comments people....End of story

Fox would not really want the game in fear that Bryant Gumbel might be identified with them

If, if, if, if.....

Those are some of the stupidest reasons I've heard. If the reasons expressed above (AFC road game, primetime, etc...) are correct one thing is still left unexplained. ONLY ONE NETWORK WOULD'VE GOTTEN THE GAME!

CBS and NBC wouldn't have both gotten the game. So why let both broadcast it? Besides who cares what it "normally" would have been broadcast on. The NFL decided to use their own network and then gave the game back. They could've given it to PBS and used any reasoning they wanted.

I think somebody from Fox got on Mr. Cheese's bad side.

They do all get their own commercials and are selling space now. I understand CBS would have rights, but I don't entirely understand NBC. They wouldn't have been able to flex this game because they can't steal from other primetimes....only CBS and FOX.

Sen John Kerry was putting a lot of political pressure on the NFL Network to allow NBC to air the game.

If the NFL Network did not have this game, CBS would have had it, so it would not have been Primetime. So NBC could have flexed it.

In the end it does not matter (except for WWOR getting hosed), as people will have options to watch. The key is to watch it on NBC or CBS even if you get the NFL Network, so they can get the ratings!

Regarding the commercials:

So the NFL sold their own adds weeks/months ago on the premise that this game will be on the NFL network ONLY. Now it is on three major networks and some local channels.

How can the NFL uphold their contract with the add sponsors now that the number of people who will actually be watching the NFL Network has be dramatically cut. Think of all the people all over the nation that would have gone to bars or friends houses' to watch the NFL Network, now they are at home watching CBS or NBC. Besides that, I'm sure there are several people who have the NFL network but will actually be watching on CBS or NBC.

Did the NFL have to renegotiate fees with the sponsors? I think they would have to, in witch case they would be losing a lot of money.

If American Idol was on, Fox wouldn't give a shit about that game and wouldn't want to air it.

AA, forget the fct it is a primetime game what people are saying is that NBC could have flexed the game if it was a scheduled as a regular Sunday afternoon game that's why they are in.

But the NFL Network gets its games at the start of the season. CBS would have never had rights.

Fox wasn't interested.

The Cowboys and Packers weren't involved.

I'm not saying they won't do it, but I just don't think it's going to be this easy cakewalk that a lot of people (ESPN) seem to think it was. Sorta like how they thought Ohio State and USC were supposed to beat Florida and destroy Texas (respectivly) in the past two BCS Championship Games.

My guess is that Fox isn't all that upset, and ProFootball Talk is once again, just making shit up.