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 Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
