Many cable operators are spending their Thanksgiving in a PR battle with the NFL Network. Call it the Turkey Bowl.

The pro football channel scheduled a third game on Turkey Day that is only available on the NFL Network, and not broadcast TV. Big MSOs have refused to put the expensive sports channel on their basic tier and are instead selling it for a premium price.

The idea: Why make every cable TV subscriber pay out the nose for pro football when only a minority are gridiron junkies? The NFL Network is calling for government intervention to change this tragic situation.

Puh-lease!

CNN offers a balanced, consumer-centric view of this turkey.

Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK)'s spin is here.

-- Michael Harris, Chief Analyst, Cable Digital News