New distribution agreements with companies such as Comcast Corp., the U.S.'s largest cable provider, and DirecTV Group Inc., the U.S's biggest satellite-television provider -- along with interest in the Network's NFL RedZone channel -- has increased the number of homes where the Network is available to 53 million from 42 million.

The NFL Network represents one of the areas where the NFL can increase its $8 billion-a-year revenue in a market where it already is the No. 1 sport.

Last Thursday the network showed the first of eight live games this season, a matchup between the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers. The game kept the viewers riveted the network broadcast to literally the last second as the Jay Cutler and the Bears were driving the filed for the win in the final seconds. On 2nd and 10 Cutler took the snap with :08 from the 49ers 12 yard line and threw the ball into the end zone intended for his tight end Greg Olson (81) only to be picked off by 49ers safety Michael Lewis (32). It was Cutler's 5th interception of the night and the touchback was the game's final play.

Tonight, the Dolphins will swim up the coast to play the Carolina Panthers without their dorsal fin on the NFL Network.

The league's six-year-old channel also shows highlights, news, classic game replays and interviews with players and coaches but the exponential growth of the RedZone channel clearly shows that the fans have spoken about the type of programming they want to see.

The NFL RedZone, which is produced by the NFL Network and distributed for the first time this season by companies including Comcast, shows scoring and key moments from games around the league as they happen.

The RedZone channel has created fan buzz through the first eight games of the season, particularly with fantasy football players interested in the performance of teams beyond their home markets.

In May, the league and Comcast signed a long-term agreement ending about two years of legal fighting that began after the cable provider moved the channel from its main package to a more expensive sports tier in 2007.

The league's Sunday Ticket package of most NFL games remains with DirecTV Group Inc., the biggest U.S. satellite- television provider, which in March agreed to pay $1 billion a year starting in 2011 to retain the exclusive rights. The extension also said the league and DirecTV would make the RedZone channel, which is part of the package, available through cable, mobile phones and the Internet. The price of the RedZone channel depends on the cable company.

I must admit, if you haven't had a chance to watch it, you are really missing something special. Whether you have an "interest" in a particular game, want to follow your fantasy players or just want to watch some Sunday NFL action the NFL Network's RedZone is a fantastic product.

My three sons and I have a blast every week. From 3:45 to 4:00pm the world stops at my home as the network switches from game to game following crucial action as the 1pm games are coming to an end. You can have any number of games hanging in the balance and ooh's and ahh's are a plenty as there is almost too much action at any one moment to comprehend. In some instances there are simultaneous snaps going on split screens while instant replays are occurring in the midst of a game winning field goal attempt.

If the NFL Network's RedZone is available in your area and it fits your budget, I highly recommend it. - Mike Cardano

Mike Cardano is the founder of the Around the Horn Baseball Blog and the Extra Point Football Blog.

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