The Thursday night games ratings have carried the night (by a wide margin) in each of the last 2 weeks (last night's are not yet released). There is clearly no longer an access issue. ;)
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/14/thursday-cable-ratings-thursday-night-football-tops-night-awkward-sullivan-son-snooki-jwoww-project-runway-impractical-jokers-more/148643/
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/21/thursday-cable-ratings-football-awkward-project-runway-impractical-jokers-the-daily-show-braxton-family-values-more/149619/

In addition, Time Warner just signed the deal to add NFL Network and RedZone. This is on the heals of the recent Cablevision deal.
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/83512/time-warner-nfl-network-join-forces

The addition of games exclusive to NFL Network has been such a success that the league accelerated it's own rollout plan by a couple years and is now reaping the benefits through negotiation of cable contracts. Users demand the networks, the providers make the deals and the NFL reaps the rewards of an excellent policy.

>That they carry an exclusive weekly game might be another sign that Roger Goodall is not up to the job. NFL Network isn't carried on all cable or satellite packages and I think even there it isn't included in the entry level plans. He botched the referee negotiations and now there is an access issue. He was also Mr. Denial in the helmet injury issue. He reports to the owners. Maybe it's time for them to act again.
>
>>Good to hear it was good. I don't have NFL network
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>>>That was a really enjoyable game last night. It was more than just the return of the real refs, who received a standing ovation when they came onto the field. As the TV reporting crew said more than once, when is the last time that happened? The generally fierce Ray Lewis of the Ravens went over to talk and shake hands with one of them before the game. The real refs are back and so is the real NFL.
>>>
>>>Charles Hankey, if you are reading, I enjoyed watching the Browns play for the first time in a long time. Generally they are not even on national TV, which says something right there. Great exposure for two teams who are not in glamor markets. The Browns are not there yet but they have a lot of young guys who can play. They almost took down one of the best teams in the league on the road. It will surprise me if they remain at the bottom of the standings much longer.