Printable Version

Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Can’t watch Packers game at home? Other options still available to fans

The Monday Night Football pregame show plays on the big screen behind the bar at the Animal House bar on Third st. as bartender Derek Nash pours some shots. Animal House will have the Packer-Cowboy game showing on Thursday. Erik Daily

By AUTUMN GROOMS | La Crosse Tribune

Green Bay Packers fans have dubbed Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys among the biggest of the season.

The two 10-1 teams will face off at 7:15 p.m., with the winner expected to have the inside track for home field advantage through the NFC playoffs.

A fair number of Coulee Region residents, however, won’t be able to see the game in the comfort of their homes.

It’s only being aired on the NFL Network, which Charter Communica-tions — among the largest cable tele-vision providers in the state and La Crosse area — doesn’t carry.

Charter hasn’t added the NFL Network because of the “very high” cost associated with it, said John Miller, the company’s director of communications. He declined to say what those costs were during a telephone interview Monday.

Charter would like to provide the NFL Network through its digital sports tier at an additional cost, Miller said.

But the NFL Network wants to be part of the company’s expanded basic programming for all subscribers, he said.

“While we are willing to carry the network, we have to be able to carry it in a way that best serves all of our customers, not just football fans,” Miller said.

NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky said the network charges about $8 per year per customer. In exchange, it offers advertising time during its broadcasts that companies can sell to help offset the costs.

“We recognize that the fans are losing out, but Charter does not realize that,” Palansky said. “We’re stuck.”

Area fans do have a few alternatives to see Thursday’s game:

CenturyTel offers the NFL Network as part of its Triple Savings Bundle — high-speed Internet, digital TV and unlimited telephone calls — for $89.95 a month, said Kim Valiquette, marketing communications manager for CenturyTel.

Unfortunately, Packer fans can’t get the cable service installed by Thursday night’s game, Valiquette said. But ask around — those who already have the package might have an empty seat on their couch.

Dish Network and DirecTV satellite services also offer packages for $34.99 and $29.99, respectively. But, like CenturyTel, service can’t be installed by game night Thursday. So make nice to your neighbor if he or she has a dish.

Tune in to WKTY-AM 580. It may sound a bit old-fashioned, but all the plays still will be broadcast on the radio.

Head down to the Rotary Lights heated tent, courtesy of CenturyTel. Seeing the game there is free, but those who attend are asked to bring a cash donation or a nonperishable food item.

Brett Favre will be shown super jumbo-size on the Rivoli’s big screen. But reservations filled up quickly and the theater in downtown La Crosse had no seats left Monday afternoon for the big game.

Go to the game at Texas Stadium. The online seller eBay still had tickets available — a mere $1,200 (plus an additional $4 for shipping) will get you a pair in section 112, row 16.

Drive to “home city” markets Green Bay, where the game will be televised on WFRV Channel 5, or Milwaukee, where it will be carried on WISN Channel 12. Fire up the grill and watch the game on your vehicle’s television. It will give a whole new meaning to tailgating. All that would cost is gas money and grilling goodies.