Preseason peeks a popular attraction
NFL Network's No Huddle package is scoring lots of points with football fans this summer.
The network has been showing bits of live coverage for preseason games — giving fans a chance to see action first-hand as opposed to waiting for post-game highlights.
"We decreased the number of live preseason games to increase the number we show on No Huddle," NFL Network publicist Seth Palansky said. "There were nine games (last) Saturday night going on simultaneously.
"We like the format of 10 minutes peek in here, then move to another game, another game . . . just keep it moving as the action dictates, as opposed to three hours live on a game that might not be as action-packed.
"We still will show 55 (games) in their entirety. It's just that in the prime-time hours we felt its better to whip them around in these live windows. Last year we did two No Huddles. This year we're doing seven."
Palansky said there has been no commitment to provide similar No Huddle coverage during the regular season.
NFL Network has gained 28 million subscribers in its first 21 months on-air. "To reach 30 million in five years is considered incredible," Palansky said. ESPN had 29.3 million subscribers after its fifth year. Golf Channel had 26.1 million and MTV had 27.8 million.
The network recently announced the addition of NFL director of officiating (and former Western Athletic Conference official) Mike Pereira to its NFL Total Access show, which features former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis along with former NFL players Rod Woodson and Lincoln Kennedy.