If It Wasn’t NBC’s Blunder, Then NFL Must Be to Blame

The way the NFL sees it, somehow Los Angeles is part of the San Diego television market.

In a move reminiscent of the “Heidi” game of 1968, NBC pulled the plug on Sunday’s Miami Dolphin-Cincinnati Bengal game with 21 seconds left, and then said it was only following NFL policy.

As the Bengals were driving for a potential game-tying field goal or game-winning touchdown, viewers on Channel 4 were informed that NBC was contractually bound to leave the game in order to show the upcoming San Diego-Pittsburgh game in its entirety.

At first, NBC said pulling the plug in Los Angeles was a mistake, calling it a “miscommunication” between the network and the NFL. But later, network spokesman Ed Markey said NBC was only doing what it had to do. He said Los Angeles is considered “a secondary market” for the Chargers, meaning this could happen again.

Making matters even worse was the fact that, after NBC cut away from the Bengal-Dolphin game, the kickoff of the Charger-Steeler game was still several minutes away. NBC had time to get in commercials and pregame analysis.

Meanwhile, the Bengals drove downfield and missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt, enabling the Dolphins to hang on for an exciting 26-23 victory.

The infamous “Heidi” game on Nov. 17, 1968, involved the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. NBC cut away to show the children’s movie “Heidi” with 1:05 left and the Jets leading, 36-32. The Raiders scored two quick touchdowns and won, 46-36.