In a battle over one game in Week 15 in the NFL, CBS and NBC are squaring off over a contest that both networks want desperately. CBS has even recruited a team owner to fight on its behalf.
Both networks want to air the New England-Denver game next Sunday. CBS has protected New York Jets-Philadelphia for that week, but as the Broncos continue to win and quarterback Tim Tebow becomes more of a ratings draw, the Tiffany Network now wants to keep the contest at its originally scheduled 4:15 p.m. ET slot.
NBC and the NFL want to have a Tom Brady-Tim Tebow matchup in primetime. Of course, that would be a ratings bonanza.
Complicating matters is the fact that Patriots owner Robert Kraft is lobbying on behalf of CBS. Keep in mind, Kraft is partner with CBS as the network has a restaurant in his Patriot Place shopping plaza in Foxboro, MA.
In addition, the CBS-owned WBZ-TV would air the game if it stayed at 4:15 and it’s an official partner of the Patriots. Plus CBS Radio’s WBZ-FM is the radio flagship of the Patriots so you can see where this is going.
I had been hearing of the networks fighting over this game since yesterday. Normally, the NFL would release the information on the flex and the finalized schedule 13 days in advance, but this dispute has delayed the publication.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post put out the story today. We’ll see who wins this battle.
