Tribune stations in six markets will broadcast locally six of the eight games that are being televised nationally by the NFL Network, the NFL's in-house cable network, Tribune announced today.

The games involve the stations' home teams.

The NFL sells the local broadcast rights to stations in the home markets of all the participating teams so the local fans have an opportunity to see the games.

The NFL plans to telecast eight games on the network involving 16 different teams starting Nov. 6.

NFL spokesman Dan Masonson said that TV stations bid for the rights to carry the games "exactly" as they are on the network, but are given commercial time within the games to sell to local advertisers just as cable and satellite affiliates of the network are.

The games also have promotional value to the stations, Masonson said.

Neither Masonson nor Tribune spokesman Gary Weitman would say how much Tribune paid for the rights to the six games.

Masonson said that the league will soon released the names of its local broadcast outlets in other markets.

"Partnering with the NFL to bring these games to a broad audience in these markets is a real demonstration of our commitment to staying hyper-focused on local programming," said John Hendricks, executive vice president/interactive and broadcast sales, Tribune Broadcasting, in a prepared statement.

"There's nothing bigger than the NFL and these games will deliver big ratings for our advertisers."

The Tribune NFL lineup:

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns
Nov. 6, 2008
KWGN Denver

New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
Nov. 13, 2008
WPIX New York

Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
Dec. 4, 2008
KSWB San Diego

New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Dec. 11, 2008
WGNO New Orleans

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dec. 18, 2008
WXIN Indianapolis

Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
Dec. 20, 2008
KDAF Dallas-Fort