Caught in a gripping contest, the Oakland Raiders faced off against the New York Jets in a late afternoon NFL game. As the Raiders mounted a comeback with only a minute remaining on the clock, NBC made the decision to switch its broadcast to the scheduled movie 'Heidi.' Fans hoping for a dramatic conclusion witnessed the abrupt programming change, which resulted in outrage and disappointment among viewers who were denied the thrilling finish they had anticipated. The switch occurred just as the Raiders scored two touchdowns in the closing minutes, changing the game's outcome in an exhilarating manner that fans didn’t get to witness live. Instead, many viewers were left perplexed or angry, as they were suddenly confronted with the tale of a young girl in the Swiss Alps rather than the final minutes of an electrifying football game.

This incident highlighted the consequences of programming decisions made by networks, particularly concerning live sporting events. It sparked widespread discussions about the need for better scheduling practices to ensure that audiences could witness the climactic moments of their favorite sports. The backlash was significant, leading NBC and other networks to reconsider their policies regarding the coverage of live sports. The controversy ultimately resulted in the implementation of new rules that mandated games to be shown in their entirety, especially when they ran over time, marking a pivotal shift in sports broadcasting in the United States.