NFL: AT&T Didn’t Negotiate Before Dropping NFL Network on DIRECTV NOW

On Monday, we reported that NFL Network would no longer be available to customers on DIRECTV NOW’s grandfathered plans. While the dispute will also affect AT&T U-Verse customers, those DirecTV satellite customers will still be able to get the channel.

In a statement, AT&T shared:

“The NFL Network and RED ZONE CHANNEL® remain available to all fans on DIRECTV. However, as we continue to manage content costs, we could not reach an agreement with the NFL to continue to carry those channels on U-verse and DIRECTV NOW.”

Now, it appears that AT&T didn't even try to negotiate with the NFL to keep the channel.

In a statement, a NFL spokesperson shared:

“We have a long history of working with our distribution partners to come to fair agreements. That said, in order to come to an agreement there must be a willingness to communicate, to exchange proposals, to sit down and negotiate.

Unfortunately, as it pertains to AT&T, we never heard a word from them until NFL Network and NFL RedZone were pulled from the AT&T U-Verse and DTV Now services. We’re disappointed for all our fans who will miss out on upcoming events such as tonight’s schedule release show and next week’s NFL Draft where NFL Network will have exclusive behind-the-scenes access with a record 23 war room cameras at team facilities – including the No. 1 Selection, Arizona Cardinals.”

The NFL has launched a website to help customers find NFL Network. The channel is still available on Sling TV ($25), PlayStation Vue ($50), and Fubo ($55).