• by Wayne Friedman , August 10, 2011

Not so fast, Comcast. The word "free" apparently doesn't mean "at no extra charge." 

A federal judge rejected Comcast's request for a temporary restraining order against DirecTV, regarding the advertising for its valuable and profitable "NFL Sunday Ticket" package.

Comcast, the country's biggest cable TV company, sued DirecTV, the biggest satellite TV provider, last week, claiming that DirecTV is falsely advertising its exclusive "NFL Sunday Ticket" package -- which provides viewers with every NFL game each week, including out-of-market games -- as "free."

It said the "NFL Sunday Ticket" package requires a two-year commitment: one year of free "NFL Sunday Ticket programming and a second year charged at the regular price of $334.95. Cancellation carries big charges.

But DirecTV says Comcast got the ad wrong -- that the actual DirecTV ads say the "NFL Sunday Ticket" package came "at no extra charge."

DirecTV's "Football Cops" series promotes its "NFL Sunday Ticket" package, and the print, Internet, radio and an elaborate video campaign stars NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

"We're pleased the judge recognized Comcast's veiled attempt to limit our ability to compete in the marketplace and denied the TRO," states Jon Gieselman, DirecTV senior vice president, marketing and direct sales.

"We're happy to go head-to-head with Comcast any day on whose service is superior, so we look forward to competing in the marketplace rather than the courtroom," he added.