NBC Sports and Peacock are teaming up again with the NFL, EA SPORTS, and Genius Sports for the second annual EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast. This year moving to primetime on Thanksgiving, November 27. The exclusive stream will feature the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium at 8 p.m. ET, capping the NFL’s John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration tripleheader.
The Madden NFL Cast, first introduced last December. Combines live-action football with video game elements to create an immersive, data-powered viewing experience.
The broadcast integrates Madden NFL 26 graphics, route trees, play cards, and player ratings with NFL Next Gen Stats and GeniusIQ, Genius Sports’ AI-driven data platform. Fans can expect animated overlays and real-time insights designed to transform the way viewers understand football strategy.
This year introduces a notable change in perspective. The broadcast will primarily use the hi-sky camera located behind the quarterback. The viewpoint familiar to Madden gamers—rather than the traditional sideline camera. The change aims to replicate the video game experience while giving fans a fresh perspective on on-field strategy.
NBC Sports’ play-by-play announcer Paul Burmeister returns, joined by former NFL quarterback and Madden expert Kurt Benkert, who will analyze plays using interactive graphics. Three-time All-Pro defensive back Tyrann Mathieu joins the team this year, bringing his on-field experience to the commentary. Six-time Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson also returns as “ratings adjuster.” Fine-tuning player ratings in real time from the stadium alongside reporter Kay Adams.
“We are excited to once again work with the NFL, EA SPORTS, and Genius Sports to offer fans the ability to watch Madden NFL come to life, exclusively on Peacock,” said NBC Sports Executive Producer Fred Gaudelli. “It’s appropriate that this year’s Madden NFL Cast takes place on Thanksgiving, an NFL holiday tradition that meant so much to John Madden.”
Grace Senko, NFL vice president of media strategy and business development, added, “John Madden was the ultimate teacher, and this production will honor his contributions to the game on a holiday he helped make synonymous with football.”
EA SPORTS VP Evan Dexter emphasized the evolving nature of sports entertainment: “The Madden NFL Cast represents our vision of growing the love of football by creating the most immersive, data-powered viewership experience possible using the unique elements of Madden. This partnership with NBC Sports, the NFL, and Genius Sports champions that mission and proves alternative broadcasts aren’t just a trend—they’re the future.”
The Madden NFL Cast will be produced by Steve Greenberg and directed by Tim Nelson. NBC Sports’ traditional coverage of the Bengals-Ravens matchup will air simultaneously across NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, and Universo.
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