I do like the idea that you have for a compromise. Here is the thing. We have all kind of lost site of what the point here is. The real reason we are having this discusion is because us football fans will be losing one of our favorite networks for very stupid reasons.
Regardless of who is right or wrong (Time Warner or the NFL), the real issue we are having with it is that we are losing a network that we all want at THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME OF YEAR......THE START OF FOOTBALL SEASON! If these 2 HUGE businesses would just find a way to settle, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. There is just a lot of frustration out there because these multi billion companies are fighting over, what would be a couple extra bucks to you and me.
Time Warner just looks like fools in this situation because they ARE THE ONLY MAJOR COMPANY not to carry the NFL Nework. There is pleanty of blame to go around. Time Warner is to blame, the NFL is to blame........whatever. The fact of the matter is, the only ones being hurt by this are the customers.
As for your compromise, while it does make sense to try it on a trial basis and then work it out based on the numbers, but the problem is, neither company, especially Time Warner, would let that happen. It would just lead to more fighting and petty bickering down the road.
I don't know what the solution is. The fact is, people who want the NFL Network, should not have to pay extra for it. However, maybe the NFL is expecting too much per subscriber. To me, the solution is easy. Just split the difference. The NFL wants $0.90 per subscriber and to be on basic cable. Time Warner wants NFL Network on a Sports Tier so they themselves can collect more money from their subscribers. Why don't they settle on $0.65-$0.70 per subscriber and on basic cable? That would make both companies money.....NFL through the subscriber fees, and Time Warner through additional customers that won't switch to Dish or DirecTV and new customers they can bring in because of the features they can offer.
I know, it is not that simple, but this is totally out of hand and only us, the customers are getting hurt. Both entities need to realize this and step up. They NEED to work this out.