CBS Sports chief Sean McManus has confirmed reports that the NFL is considered shifting “Thursday Night Football” TV rights to a package that would split among multiple networks.
Sports Business Journal on Monday reported that the league is considering a new approach to the Thursday games that would see them shift among multiple networks. That would certainly be less desirable for the networks from a promotional and logistical standpoint.
McManus on Tuesday at the Television Critics Association press tour said the NFL asked for proposals for an exclusive rights deal similar to the past two years and for a split package “where networks would share the first eight weeks of the season.”
“We’d like to renew ‘Thursday Night Football,’” he said. “It’s been a big success.”
McManus wouldn’t comment on his opinion about the possibility of the package being carved up among networks. “Whatever they do is all about increasing the viewership and the promotion and the destination-viewing of ‘Thursday Night Football.’ ”
McManus told reporters after the session that the league was also pushing networks to “be aggressive in offering new promotional and programming opportunities” to augment “Thursday Night Football.”
To read more visit Variety where this article was originally published
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
