NFL Network and RedZone are dark on Xfinity. Comcast pulled both channels late Thursday after its distribution agreement expired, according to a report by Cord Cutters.
The timing is complicated. ESPN finalized its acquisition of NFL Network, RedZone, and NFL Fantasy in February. The league received a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal.
Now Disney/ESPN controls the negotiating table — not the league.
Comcast acknowledged the dispute plainly.
“Our contract to carry NFL Network and NFL Red Zone has expired, and we’re in discussions with the new owner, Disney/ESPN, about our future carriage of the network,” said Comcast in a statement to Cord Cutters.
Disney pushed back publicly. “We proposed keeping these channels available while we continued good-faith negotiations, but unfortunately, Comcast declined and took them down.”
Disney says it remains committed to a resolution.
Comcast and NFL Network clashed in 2009 over basic-tier carriage. A shorter dispute surfaced in May 2023. League Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped in personally that time, and a deal was struck within 24 hours.
The blackout hits during a sensitive window. OTAs, minicamps, and draft analysis dominate the offseason calendar. Shows like Good Morning Football and NFL Total Access are now unavailable to Xfinity subscribers.
ESPN is also managing NFL Network carriage talks with YouTube TV, Spectrum, and other distributors.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
