A thank you goes out to Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester for the letter they wrote to National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell, about televising the Denver Broncos Houston Texans game Thursday night to football fans in Montana.

The game is being carried by the NFL Network, which means most of the nation will not be able to see it unless they have satellite TV or if they subscribe to a premium cable package. While I am no fan of the Broncos or Texans, if NFL football is on TV I will watch the game.

There’s possibly a bigger problem facing Montanans this Saturday. The Carroll College Saints play for the NAIA National Championship at 11:00 a.m. Montana time, and a network called CSTV (College Sports Television) which is a CBS company, is carrying the Championship game. CSTV is available on Bresnan cable through their Digital cable – a premium service that costs extra. Many Montanans don’t have that service. Due to tight economic times, Jack the Blogger does not have digital cable or satellite TV these days.

Maybe a letter or call from our Senators and Representative to Mr. Bill Bresnan, the head of Bresnan Communications, would help with this problem? Maybe a little reverse lobbying? Maybe Mr. Bresnan will show some Christmas cheer and put the game on a regular cable channel for many more fans to see? Ho, Ho, Ho?

Maybe not.

Of course this is business and they need to make money. Bresnan Communications is running advertisements touting the Saints game AND their digital cable package. This is also the holiday season – a season of giving! The Bresnan family has “given” frequently to Senator Baucus’ campaign.

I remember seeing Senator Baucus and Mr. Bresnan doing a commercial together about business in Montana. This would be a great opportunity to show some smart business practices by allowing more Montanans to see the game, which might increase revenue for all the businesses, especially the Montana-based ones, who advertise during the game.