The NFL Network sued Comcast last fall after the company decided to move the channel off of a digital packaging tier with about 7 million viewers onto the sports tier, which is only available to customers willing to pay more to receive the extra programming. According to Comcast, such a move is allowable under the terms of the company's agreement with the NFL Network.

Judge Bernard Fried agreed with Comcast in his decision. He did not find "any ambiguity" in previous agreements between the parties that would have prohibited Comcast from moving the NFL Network onto a niche tier.

Comcast "is entitled to distribute the NFL Network on a sports tier under the agreements between the parties," he said.

NFL spokesman Seth Palansky said in an e-mail that the network will challenge Fried's ruling. He did not elaborate.

The NFL launched the network four years ago, boasting 24 hours per day of original programming. It aired eight live games last fall.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings last year examining the antitrust implications of exclusive sports programming packages, including those for professional football. Federal lawmakers also have expressed concerns about an exclusive deal between Major League Baseball and the satellite operator DirecTV that lets subscribers watch out-of-market games.

In a statement, Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen said his company "bargained explicitly" for the option to distribute the NFL Network on a sports tier because it was the "best and fairest solution" for its customers.

"This decision means that our customers who are NFL fans will be able to watch the NFL Network without burdening those who are not NFL fans with extra costs," he said.