Remember the good ol' days when coverage of NFL Hall of Fame events was on network television?

Following induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, Al Michaels, John Madden and the then-Monday Night Football crew would broadcast a game - the first exhibition contest of the season.

Granted, such game coverage wasn't a show-stopping network event, because many rabid NFL fans didn't flock to their TV recliners to see mostly unfamiliar faces compete in what the league calls a "preseason" contest.

Still, the events, which signaled the start of the NFL season, were there - on "free" television.

Times are changing, as the NFL Network slowly - but surely - gains momentum while moving toward an eventual pay-per-view type of coverage during some regular-season NFL games.

The Hall of Fame events were aired on the NFL Network over the weekend - ceremonies Saturday and the Steelers-Saints game Sunday night. But local Comcast cable viewers had to be "tiered customers" to watch the game.

(ESPN, working under its current contract, simulcast the ceremonies Saturday.)

The NFL Network, which premiered in November 2003, never has been part of the local basic cable service on Comcast.

Sports fans initially had to subscribe to Comcast's more expensive and expansive digital service to get the network.

In June, Comcast moved the NFL Network (now on channel 417), along with several other sports channels, from the digital service to a new sports tier that costs viewers an additional $4.95 a month. Like everything in today's broadcasting environment, it was a dollar-and-cents move.

Cable, satellite companies and networks constantly are involved in a financial war, which hits viewers in the pocketbook.

Comcast and the NFL Network reportedly couldn't reach a financial agreement regarding digital service. Thus, the local sports tier was formed. And don't be surprised if Versus (formerly the Outdoor Life Network) soon moves from the digital lineup to this new sports tier.

Meanwhile, the NFL Network continues to spread its programming wings.

In addition to again airing three late regular-season NFL games (which local stations can pay a rights fee to broadcast), the network has a 52-game preseason schedule - eight live and 44 on tape delay.

And the network also is moving into the TV movie business.

A biographical drama based on the life of Vince Lombardi is scheduled to go into production this fall, with much of the story centering on the famous "Ice Bowl" in 1967, when the Packers beat the Cowboys for the NFL championship.

Meanwhile, media experts offer numerous thoughts about the future impact the NFL Network will have on cable services and satellite operations.

One potential scenario: While CBS, Fox and NBC will offer "free" coverage of most games, the NFL Network will have a pay-per-view system featuring at least one key weekend matchup during the regular season.

And a pay-per-view aspect during the playoffs certainly is a possibility.

ESPN, an established basic cable network, would remain in the NFL mix.

When ESPN premiered its Sunday night NFL package in 1987, there was some hand-wringing by fans about having to "pay" for the NFL product.

Today, basic cable and dish operations, in about 70 percent of U.S. TV households, is an accepted way of television life.

The NFL Network holds the key to a new way of life for NFL fans - a life that will be anything but free TV.

AROUND THE DIALS: Hard Knocks with the Kansas City Chiefs, a "reality-based" series covering all aspects of the team's training camp, premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday on HBO.

Produced by NFL Films, the series will air weekly through Sept. 5, concentrating on on-the-field and behind-the-scenes activities of team members.

Hard Knocks is returning after a four-year hiatus, following coverage of camps of the Baltimore Ravens in 2001 and the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.

• The SportsBusiness Journal reports the NHL and ESPN might negotiate a new contract that would bring league games back to ESPN2 for the 2008-09 season.

ESPN dropped is coverage following the 2004-05 season, citing mediocre ratings. Versus currently has the cable rights fee for the 2007-08 seasons, with NBC again airing some regular-season and playoff games on a revenue-sharing deal with the league.

ESPN would replace NBC, with Versus continuing coverage while getting some sort of rights financial compensation.

Dusty Saunders writes periodically about sports broadcasting. Contact him at tvtime@comcast.net.

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