Suddenlink cable customers who are fans of the National Football League will soon have the opportunity to follow the sport much closer.

Suddenlink, which is the main cable television provider for Rocky Mount, recently was involved in an agreement with the NFL and the National Cable Television Cooperative that will add NFL Network and NFL RedZone to its digital sports tier package.

Phil Ahlschlager, Sr. Vice President of Operations for Suddenlink North Carolina, said the NFL Network will be available beginning Friday on Channel 258 and in HD on Channel 765.

“With the NFL season here, we are very pleased we are going to be able to offer both NFL Network and NFL RedZone to our customers in Rocky Mount,” Ahlschlager said in a telephone interview. “The NFL is such a powerful brand. We’ve been working with the NFL for quite some time. It’s good that we could get a deal that everyone can live with.”

NFL Network is an addition to what will be a 17-channel sports package that includes ESPNU, ESPN Classic, Versus, Speed and CBS College Sports, among others. Ahlschlager said new customers can add the package for $5 per month.

NFL Network provides 24-hour programming, including their Sunday pregame show, “NFL GameDay Morning.” The channel also features eight live regular-season Thursday night games.

NFL RedZone, which was launched during Sundays last season, allows viewers to watch what happens in each game when a team advances inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Ahlschlager said NFL RedZone’s price has not been determined, but it will be offered as a subscription service for the season.

Ahlschlager said Suddenlink recently added three Fox College Sports channels in the company’s effort to revamp its sports package.

Suddenlink still is missing one major sports network — MLB Network. Ahlschlager said Suddenlink is constantly negotiating with all sports channels, but there is nothing imminent with regard to MLB Network.

Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9959 or jhnunery@rmtelegram.com