Wow the NFL is the biggest business and town, and they just got a new partner for their Thursday night football package.
In a formal announcement from NFL Communications, the National Football League will team with CBS to produce and televise Thursday Night Football for the 2014 season.
NFL Partners with CBS on 2014 Thursday Night Football Package http://t.co/NPn1tO6vtV
— NFL345 (@NFL345) February 5, 2014
CBS will air eight early season games that also will be simulcast on NFL Network. NFL Network will also televise eight late-season games during the push towards the playoffs.
The full mix of games will include 14 on Thursday nights and two late-season games on Saturday.
JIM NANTZ and PHIL SIMMS will call all Thursday night games.
In what has been deemed a new twist, NFL Network hosts and analysts will be featured in the pregame, halftime and postgame shows along with CBS Sports announcers.
The agreement is reportedly for the 2014 season with an additional year at the NFL’s option.
“NFL Network built Thursday into a night for NFL fans,” said Commissioner Goodell. “Our goal is to bring these games to more fans on broadcast television with unprecedented promotion and visibility for Thursday Night Football on CBS.”
“We are very pleased to build on our outstanding partnership with the NFL by expanding our coverage to Thursday nights,” said Moonves. “CBS is a premium content company and the NFL represents the best premium content there is. I look forward to all this new deal will do for us not only on Thursday nights, but across our entire schedule.”
“The NFL is the most powerful programming in television,” said McManus. “To add a primetime NFL package to our successful Sunday AFC package further strengthens our position in the sports marketplace. We look forward to having Jim and Phil and our top production team showcased in prime time on Thursday nights.”
It’s a great come-up for CBS and they will now have eight weeks of dominating Thursday night television starting each September.
