The NFL’s ratings may be down, but that isn’t stopping FOX from aggressively pursuing the rights to Thursday Night Football. According to Sports Business Daily, three networks submitted bids for TNF – CBS, NBC and FOX.
Although NBC and CBS expressed a desire to air TNF, both networks offered lower rights fees than the reported $450 million they spent combined on the package in 2017. FOX was the only network to submit an offer with an increase in rights fees. The amount proposed though remains unclear.
What’ll be interesting to monitor is whether the proposal includes a combination of games being made available on FOX and FS1/FS2 or if the network will be receptive to games also being made available on the NFL Network as they have in the past. The NFL also stands to benefit by once again making their digital rights to Thursday Night games available. Amazon and Twitter are both interested in the package. Facebook has elected not to bid according to SBD.
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.
