Posted on 02/01/2007 12:49:16 PM PST by Publius Valerius
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The NFL has nixed a church's plans to use a wall projector to show the Colts-Bears Super Bowl game, saying it would violate copyright laws.
NFL officials spotted a promotion of Fall Creek Baptist Church's "Super Bowl Bash" on the church Web site last week and overnighted a letter to the pastor demanding the party be canceled, the church said.
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But the NFL objected to the church's plans to use a projector to show the game, saying the law limits it to one TV no bigger than 55 inches.
The church will likely abandon its plans to host a Super Bowl party.
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NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league's long-standing policy is to ban "mass out-of-home viewing" of the Super Bowl. An exception is made for sports bars and other businesses that show televised sports as a part of their everyday operations.
"We have contracts with our (TV) networks to provide free over-the-air television for people at home," Aiello said. "The network economics are based on television ratings and at-home viewing. Out-of-home viewing is not measured by Nielsen."
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"It just frustrates me that most of the places where crowds are going to gather to watch this game are going to be places that are filled with alcohol and other things that are inappropriate for children," Newland said. "We tried to provide an alternative to that and were shut down."
Other Indiana churches said they are deciding whether they should go through with their Super Bowl party plans, given the NFL's stance.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
If that's the NFL's licensing rules, then that's that. If an exception is made here, then anyone can argue that they deserve the same.
What's a church doing showing the Super Bowl on the Sabbath? If it was on another day, that's one thing, but shouldn't they be preparing a sermon, not a football get-together?
I would be interested in chapter & verse of "the law" that limits screen size to 55 inches.
The Superbowl is one of the most overrated events ever invented. I can't stand to watch it anymore.
Wow, I know a lot of big evangelical churches in the U.S. are planning to show the game on huge screens to large groups of people this Sunday.
The NFL better get busy!
Agree.
Stick with bingo.
Gold-plated jerks.
"If that's the NFL's licensing rules,"
Try promoting a big "American Idol Finale" party as such and then charge admission to the broadcast of it. Insert any major televised even for "American Idol Finale" and think about the cosequences. Hell, try it with one of your DVDs.
The church was clearly doing a no-no.
Even though it is a violation of the NFL's TV licensing. It makes for real bad publicity.
See, let's stomp on a church who wants to use it's equipment to show the Super Bowl and create a lot of bad blood with our customers, aka the fans. Makes good business sense to me.....NOT!
Another thought is that the Church should reduce the viewing size of the screen to 55" and still show it anyhow.
I'd say the image is no bigger than the DMD at the heart of the device, or something far less than an inch on each side.
"Wow, I know a lot of big evangelical churches in the U.S. are planning to show the game on huge screens to large groups of people this Sunday."
They promoting it as a "Super Bowl" party and charging admission for the purpose of turning a profit?
"Another thought is that the Church should reduce the viewing size of the screen to 55" and still show it anyhow."
They should probably drop the admission fee as well.
I thought "Evangelical" was derived from the Greek word for "Good News". How on earth does the Super Bowl aid and abet the Good New of the Gospel?
I'd call any religious group holding a game party "EINO" = Evangelical in name only.
Touche!
No admission fees, but on huge screens and advertised as a Super Bowl party.
I really doubt they realize they are violating any rules.
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