CBS and NBC will split the NFL’s Thursday Night Football package, it was officially announced Monday.
Under the newly announced Thursday Night Football television deal, which will run through the next two seasons, CBS and NBC will each simulcast five games with NFL Network. Including the eight exclusive NFL Network broadcasts, the TNF schedule will expand to eighteen games (some of which will air on Saturdays).
CBS will produce the first half of the schedule, while NBC will produce the second half. Both outlets will provide their lead broadcast teams, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms for the former and Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth for the latter.
NBC will continue airing the annual NFL Kickoff and Thanksgiving night games, which are part of the network’s Sunday Night Football deal.
Until recently, the prospect of a split Thursday Night Football schedule seemed remote. Entering negotiations, discussions were focused on one network acquiring the full broadcast portion of the schedule. When Sports Business Daily first broke the news that the NFL wanted to split the rights, the networks were said to be displeased by the idea.
Once the split schedule idea gained traction, CBS and NBC were really the only stated contenders.
(Mon. news from NFL)
