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Why It’s Time for Nielsen and the Radio Industry to Reimagine Ratings

Dr. Ed Cohen
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Why It’s Time for Nielsen and the Radio Industry to Reimagine Ratings

Near the end of the last century, Apple came out with a slogan that resonated with many consumers: “Think Different.” Many radio people have said the same thing in recent years, and the slew of poor earnings announcements for the second quarter of 2025 from publicly held radio groups should be accelerating that conversation.

As a researcher, I look at radio’s problems from my little part of the world: the ratings. Ever since I entered the industry about 50 years ago, complaining about the ratings has been an art form. No one ever liked Arbitron as a business, even if the people were good folks, and today not many have good things to say about Nielsen Audio. When your career prospects are contingent on whether someone wears a watch on a given day or a near-illiterate draws a line in a paper diary, that’s an unusual way to make a living.

Regardless, what we’ve had from the radio or audio ratings system is methodological continuity. The diary service goes back to the mid-’60s and, other than the Jerry Lee and COLRAM-led diary update in the mid-’80s, has endured in nearly the same form for six decades. PPM was first used to measure radio audiences in Houston and Philadelphia nearly 20 years ago, but Arbitron’s initial patents for the system date back to 1995.

Some aspects of the methodology, notably around recruitment, have changed as we moved from landlines to cell phones. But a programmer who retired in 1970 could look at a 2025 ratings report and probably understand the data. Of course, that programmer would ask, “Why don’t I have a printed book, and what happened to the sideways style?” If you don’t know what that’s about, ask an old radio person!

We still have average quarter hour and cume. Reach and frequency models require both, and radio sells off the AQH number. Some of you have bonuses based on AQH, typically on rank. Yet the idea of an average quarter hour audience in a world that has become digital-focused is completely outdated.

I’ll spare you the history because what matters is the present and the future. The media world has moved to “impressions,” and digital has done well with this measure. I’ve written before that an ad appearing for two seconds on 50% of a website counts as being viewed—therefore, an impression. Not to mention that at least a quarter of all digital “impressions” are “viewed” by bots. When I’ve mentioned that assertion to friends in the business, the typical reaction is that the reported percentage is low. Yet advertisers and agencies keep spending more on digital.

Meanwhile, depending on the market, it takes three or five minutes—not seconds—to create anything for radio AQH or cume, unless those minutes cross a clock quarter hour, in which case there is no audience.

Why do we put up with this mismatch? Stations pay an inordinate amount of money to Nielsen, which then creates estimates that set far higher standards for radio audiences than those for the digital world.

If you think this column is another “Nielsen Sucks” exercise, you’re wrong. Sure, there is much to complain about with respect to the service, but Nielsen is simply continuing a legacy measurement system that has withstood any number of challenges over the years. I can speak from personal experience, having held the title of Director of Research at Birch/Scarborough when the staff was informed of the service’s shutdown in December 1991.

Some operators have decided to forge on without Nielsen. In a handful of cases, they’ve chosen Nielsen’s far smaller competitor, Eastlan. In some cases, the question is whether stations can go without a measurement service entirely. That’s an ROI issue. Is the return on the price of Nielsen data still a strong positive? If you’re in a major market, you may be dealing with a large number of agencies that use the data and still buy radio. For national buys, data is necessary.

But is there enough business coming in to make a fair multiple of the cost of Nielsen data? I can’t answer that question, but market managers, regional managers, and of course CEOs have the data and can decide.

If the system as it stands today is not “fit for purpose,” what should replace it? It’s not reasonable to think that the entire radio and audio industry can move forward with no independent measurement system. The question is, in 2025 and beyond, what data to collect, how to collect it, and what metrics to report? Lurking behind those questions is the bugbear of how much such a system should cost.

In the coming weeks, I’ll put some meat on the bones of this thought process, outlining ideas for a new system. The time has come for the industry to determine whether the current system makes sense anymore. If it doesn’t, let’s consider alternatives.

For those of you attending the BNM Summit and the celebration of Barrett Media’s tenth anniversary in New York this week, I hope you have a great time. Sadly, I’ll miss the summit and the bash, but if you’re there, enjoy!

Let’s meet again next week.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Stephen A. Smith Is Entering a Higher-Stakes Arena with SiriusXM Political Talk Show

Garrett Searight
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Stephen A. Smith Is Entering a Higher-Stakes Arena with SiriusXM Political Talk Show

Stephen A. Smith is no stranger to attention. The ESPN star has built a career out of bold proclamations, dramatic delivery, and never shying away from a debate. Now, with SiriusXM giving him a platform to host a political talk show, Smith is about to test his voice in an entirely different arena.

And while the transition from sports radio or television to political talk may look seamless on the surface, the stakes couldn’t be more different.

Sports talk and political talk share the same broadcast DNA. Both formats thrive on strong opinions, clear personalities, and a willingness to embrace confrontation. A good host must be entertaining, informed, and able to command the attention of an audience that can easily change the channel. But the difference is in the substance. Sports talk hosts can afford to be wrong. Political talk cannot.

When Smith argues about whether Dak Prescott is a top-tier quarterback or debates who the real GOAT of the NBA is, the ramifications are limited to heated barbershop conversations and social media sparring. If he’s wrong, it doesn’t change anyone’s life. No player’s contract is affected by Smith’s take on First Take. No team’s record will be rewritten because of his opinion. Sports talk is fun precisely because it’s high-energy conversation about low-stakes topics.

That is not the case in political talk radio. The moment Stephen A. Smith shifts his platform to politics, the audience dynamic changes. Instead of diehard Knicks fans or Cowboys haters, his listeners will include policy-makers, candidates, donors, and activists. The people tuning in won’t just be looking for entertainment — they’ll be searching for affirmation, guidance, and in some cases, ammunition. Words carry more weight in this space, and the wrong take could echo far beyond the SiriusXM airwaves.

The danger for Smith lies in assuming the transition will be easy. Yes, he has mastered the rhythm of talk radio. He knows when to pause for effect, when to raise his voice, and how to bait a caller or co-host into a fiery exchange. Those skills will serve him well. But political talk requires an added layer of care and depth. When you claim an election was “stolen” or declare a candidate “unfit,” you’re not just entertaining an audience. You’re shaping the national conversation, whether you intend to or not.

That’s what separates sports talk from political talk. A bad take on the Dallas Cowboys is forgotten by Monday Night Football. A bad take on a sitting president or Supreme Court justice could spark headlines, backlash, and even policy reactions. Stephen A. Smith may be ready for that responsibility — he’s always said he wants his voice to be bigger than sports — but it’s a responsibility that should never be underestimated.

It’s also worth noting that SiriusXM is a unique venue for this experiment. The platform is national, unfiltered, and draws a wide-ranging audience. Unlike a regional sports talk station where the conversation is hyper-local, SiriusXM puts Smith in front of a politically diverse crowd with strong opinions of their own. Every word will be dissected. Every stance will be amplified. And unlike on ESPN, there won’t be a producer reminding him to pivot back to LeBron James if the conversation gets too hot.

The stakes of Smith’s new venture are monumental. He’s no longer playing in the shallow end of entertainment talk. He’s stepping into the deep waters of political influence, where audiences aren’t just listeners — they’re voters, lawmakers, and decision-makers. For Smith, the challenge won’t be generating headlines. He’s been doing that for years. The challenge will be making sure those headlines don’t damage his credibility or the discourse he claims to care about.

Ultimately, Stephen A. Smith deserves credit for taking this leap. Many sports personalities talk about expanding their reach, but few are willing to put their reputation on the line in a field where mistakes have legitimate consequences. The easy thing for Smith would be to stick with sports, where the wins and losses don’t extend beyond the playing field. Instead, he’s venturing into a medium where his words will matter in ways they never have before.

Sports talk has always been about entertainment. Political talk, however, is about influence. If Stephen A. Smith understands that distinction, he could become a fresh and compelling voice on SiriusXM. But if he treats political debate the same way he treats an argument about the NBA Finals, the results could be disastrous. The stakes are no longer just games. The stakes are the country.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

WBEZ Chicago Shakes up Mornings With Two New Shows

BNM Staff
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WBEZ Chicago Shakes up Mornings With Two New Shows

WBEZ Chicago is reimagining its weekday mornings this fall, unveiling a new lineup that aims to deepen listener engagement, spark conversation, and strengthen the station’s local identity.

Beginning September 15, the public radio outlet will roll out two live talk shows, In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons and Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith.

The moves will be paired with a shift on Morning Edition, where reporter and anchor Clare Lane will step into the local role alongside NPR’s national hosts starting tomorrow.

At 9 a.m., Simons will launch In the Loop, a locally focused news talk show designed to unpack the issues shaping Chicago. Listeners can expect a mix of local voices, subject-matter experts, and community perspectives to add depth to the headlines. The program replaces Reset, which Simons previously hosted. In its place, WBEZ will carry 1A from noon to 1 p.m., continuing its focus on national dialogue with Chicago ties.

Immediately following at 10 a.m., Dixon and Smith will debut Say More, a listener-driven call-in show built around daily conversations. Dixon, a staple of Chicago morning radio who joined WBEZ in 2020 after decades at WXRT, will trade her Morning Edition seat for a format that allows her to interact directly with the audience. Smith, who most recently served as WBEZ’s public safety editor, will bring investigative experience to complement Dixon’s presence. The station says the show will tackle topics ranging from city politics to neighborhood life to popular culture.

“WBEZ has always been the place Chicago turns for trusted news and great conversation,” executive producer Dan Tucker said in a statement. “With this new morning lineup, we’re making mornings more dynamic and more locally connected. These shows give listeners the chance to hear fresh perspectives, share their own voices and feel like part of the daily rhythm of the city.”

Lane’s promotion to morning anchor further solidifies the lineup. A veteran of the station’s newsroom, she has anchored weekends, filled in on weekdays, and reported extensively across the city. Her new role ensures continuity for early risers while maintaining WBEZ’s signature blend of national and local coverage.

For WBEZ, the changes are as much about strategy as scheduling. The station has faced a challenging media landscape, including budget pressures and increased competition for audience share. Nielsen’s July ratings placed the station 13th in Chicago, underscoring the urgency of retooling its approach.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Peter Schrager Announces New Podcast With Omaha Productions, ESPN

BSM Staff
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Peter Schrager Announces New Podcast With Omaha Productions, ESPN

Peter Schrager is adding another project to his schedule in his first NFL season with ESPN. This time he’s stepping into the podcasting space with a new weekly show. The ESPN analyst announced Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show that he will host The Schrager Hour. A podcast developed in partnership with ESPN and Omaha Productions.

The series will feature a mix of insider stories, high-profile guests, and Schrager’s trademark perspective on the NFL.

“I’m gonna be recording a podcast,” Schrager said on McAfee’s program. “I’m doing my own podcast with ESPN and Omaha. It’s gonna be called The Schrager Hour and we’ve got a studio and everything.”

The debut episode will feature Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. The episode offers listeners a strong opening guest to set the tone. A trailer for the podcast has already been released via Apple podcasts, giving fans a preview of what to expect when episodes begin dropping weekly.

“Every week, I’m going to bring you behind the scenes, share my stories from being on site at Monday Night Football, and hopefully make you feel like you’re on the inside and at the table where the real conversations in the NFL are happening,” Schrager explained on the preview trailer. “We’ll also be joined by some of the game’s most influential voices, from coaches to players to broadcasters. Maybe I’ll just have on my diehard football friends from summer camp or high school in New Jersey.”

Since joining ESPN, Schrager has become a regular presence across the network’s programming. He appears frequently on Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, SportsCenter and The Pat McAfee Show. Additionally, Schrager is set to return to his reporting roots this fall as part of ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage, contributing as a sideline reporter.

The collaboration with Omaha Productions is another significant piece of the puzzle. Peyton Manning’s media company has been a key partner for ESPN in expanding its NFL content portfolio, most notably through the ManningCast alternate broadcast of Monday Night Football. Aligning Schrager’s new project with Omaha underscores ESPN’s continued push to create cross-platform, personality-driven content that resonates with fans in multiple ways.

For Schrager, the podcast offers the opportunity to blend his insider access with a looser, more personal format. By promising conversations not only with coaches and players but also with longtime friends, he appears intent on creating a show that reflects both the league’s biggest storylines and his own authentic voice.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Longtime CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller Dies

BNM Staff
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Longtime CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller Dies

Mark Knoller, a longtime White House correspondent for CBS News, has died at the age of 73.

Known by many in the White House press corps as the unofficial presidential historian and statistician. He joked that he kept track of each President’s daily activities, the speeches they gave, how many times they played golf, and how many pardons they issued, among other items.

After originally working at the Associated Press from 1975 to 1988, Knoller joined CBS News and stayed until retiring in 2020.

After the news of his passing was announced, several of his former colleagues shared their remembrances and admiration for the work he did during his tenure with the outlet.

“Mark Knoller was the hardest-working and most prolific White House correspondent of a generation,” CBS News President Tom Cibrowski said. “Everyone in America knew his distinctive voice and his up-to-the-minute reporting across eight Presidential administrations.”

“Mark Knoller was simply the best, a legendary White House journalist who was a delight to be around,” said CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell. “His work was his life. He was kind, funny and always gracious in sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the presidency. His CBS family adored him, and we will miss our friend.”

“Mark Knoller defined what it means to chronicle and cover the White House,” added chief White House correspondent Major Garrett. “Mark added value where others never could – myself included. Mark was the most devoted, tenacious and clear-eyed journalist I have ever had the honor of knowing. For as long as I live, I will count among my life’s greatest blessings that I was able to work alongside him.”

CBS News noted that Knoller had been ill in recent weeks and had been diagnosed with diabetes.

Bill Hurley Joins Champlin Broadcasting, Chisholm Trail Broadcasting as New COO, President

BNM Staff
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Bill Hurley Joins Champlin Broadcasting, Chisholm Trail Broadcasting as New COO, President

Champlin Broadcasting and Chisholm Trail Broadcasting have appointed Bill Hurley as President and Chief Operating Officer. They are entrusting the longtime Oklahoma broadcaster with oversight of 11 stations spanning from Enid to Oklahoma City.

The companies, founded by Hiram H. Champlin, have deep roots in the state. They continue to emphasize the importance of local leadership in an increasingly consolidated radio landscape. For Champlin, that commitment to localism made Hurley the natural choice.

“As a fourth-generation Oklahoman, I’ve always believed radio should be built and led by people who truly know and care about our state,” Champlin said. “Bill Hurley not only grew up here, but he also brings decades of experience in radio. This makes him uniquely qualified to strengthen our stations and better serve our communities.”

Hurley brings nearly four decades of radio management experience, with much of it tied to Oklahoma. A native of Oklahoma City, he most recently spent more than eight years as Managing Partner at TeamRadio Marketing Group. Before that, he served for over 13 years as Market President for Clear Channel/iHeartRadio in Oklahoma City. He oversaw multiple formats and brands during a time of significant industry change.

“I’m thrilled to join Hiram and the team to grow a network that truly serves our local communities,” Hurley said. “Small businesses in Oklahoma often get overshadowed by national consolidation—but that doesn’t have to be the case. Together, we’ll expand heritage stations like News/Talk Freedom 96.9 and Country The Wolf 99.7. These will become platforms that champion the businesses and voices that make our region unique and resilient.”

His career path has also taken him beyond Oklahoma, with leadership roles in Utah, Arizona, California and Illinois. Still, Hurley has maintained strong ties to the state. This includes his service as Chairman and board member of the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.

The dual companies have long emphasized local content, positioning themselves as alternatives to the homogenized programming common in larger ownership groups. By installing Hurley in the top leadership role, Champlin is signaling an intent to further double down on community engagement and homegrown radio.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Cleveland Browns Extend Partnerships With Audacy, Good Karma Brands

BSM Staff
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Cleveland Browns Extend Partnerships With Audacy, Good Karma Brands

The Cleveland Browns have renewed their multi-year agreement with Audacy and Good Karma Brands, keeping the stations as the official flagship radio partners for the Browns Radio Network. The extension strengthens a 13-year relationship, delivering game-day broadcasts and weekly programming to fans across Northeast Ohio and beyond.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Cleveland Browns,” said Tom Olson, market manager of ESPN Cleveland. “This renewal not only extends our tradition of delivering the excitement of Browns content to our fans. It also opens new opportunities to integrate our local partners directly into the fabric of the play-by-play broadcast.”

Under the renewed agreement, Audacy’s 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 WNCX, along with Good Karma Brands’ 850 ESPN Cleveland, will continue providing live game coverage. This includes pregame and postgame programming, and year-round content across the radio network and the Browns Mobile App.

Jeff Miller, senior vice president and market manager for Audacy Cleveland, said the renewal reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the fan experience. “As another exciting football season approaches, we’re thrilled to share that 92.3 The Fan will proudly continue as the Browns’ flagship station,” Miller said. “Our ongoing mission is to offer both exhilarating live game-day action and the compelling stories that happen off the field. As a lifelong Browns fan myself, I’m honored to be part of 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 WNCX as we collaborate with the Browns and Good Karma Brands to deliver engaging content to the dedicated listeners who love this team.”

In addition, the deal also shifts the team’s weekday show, Cleveland Browns Daily, to a new 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET slot. Hosted by Nathan Zegura and Beau Bishop, the program continues to offer comprehensive coverage and analysis. Including access to coaches, players, and front office members from CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

“Our incredible partnership with Audacy’s 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 WNCX, along with Good Karma Brands’ 850 ESPN Cleveland, is an important extension of how we reach our fans each and every day,” said Haslam Sports Group partner JW Johnson. “2025 will mark our 13th season working together. We look forward to providing Browns fans with the insight and coverage they want most. Whether it’s on gameday, during their commute, or throughout the year.”

In-season programming kicks off with The Cleveland Browns Preview Show and The Kevin Stefanski Show, airing Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Preview Show features player interviews, roster breakdowns, and analysis from the broadcast team. The Kevin Stefanski Show spotlights exclusive interviews with the head coach, players, and assistant coaches.

Moreover, fans will also have access to more than 20 hours of Browns coverage weekly. This includes pregame shows starting four hours before kickoff, two-hour postgame broadcasts, and extensive year-round content. All content will be available through the triple-cast on Audacy and Good Karma Brands stations as well as the Cleveland Browns Radio Network.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Stephen A. Smith Launches ‘Straight Shooter’ Program September 17 on SiriusXM

BNM Staff
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Stephen A. Smith Launches ‘Straight Shooter’ Program September 17 on SiriusXM

Stephen A. Smith is expanding his footprint on SiriusXM with the launch of a new daily sports talk program and an upcoming politics and culture show. The Stephen A. Smith Show debuts today exclusively on Mad Dog Sports Radio. The program will air live weekdays from 1 to 3 p.m. ET and promises Smith’s signature analysis, commentary, and spirited debate on the biggest stories in sports.

In conjunction with the sports show, SiriusXM announced that Smith will launch a live politics and culture program, Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith, on September 17. The show will air every Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET on SiriusXM’s bipartisan P.O.T.U.S. channel (channel 124), featuring discussions with prominent figures from politics, entertainment, and business. Listeners will also have the opportunity to call in and join the conversation.

“I’ve spent my career speaking my mind, asking tough questions, and zeroing in on the issues that matter most,” Smith said. “Whether it’s my new sports show on Mad Dog Sports Radio or talking politics on P.O.T.U.S., I’m here to challenge, entertain, and engage SiriusXM listeners.”

Following each live broadcast, episodes of “Straight Shooter” will be available as a podcast on all major platforms. Full-length video will be available on YouTube the following day.

Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s president and chief content officer, praised Smith’s versatility and energy. “Stephen A.’s unique voice, unparalleled energy, and range of interests make him a perfect fit for SiriusXM,” Greenstein said. “Starting today, from sports to politics, his curiosity, candor, and unfiltered perspective will resonate with audiences across our platforms.”

Alongside the sports show, SiriusXM is debuting Get Serious with Stephen A. Smith, a listener engagement feature that allows fans to call in or submit short voice notes and written hot takes on the day’s biggest sports stories. Smith will respond live, offering feedback, roasting outrageous takes. He’ll be issuing his Stamp of Approval as shareable graphic cards. These give fans a chance to interact with the host in real time.

Smith is a well-known figure in sports media. He currently serves as a featured commentator and executive producer on ESPN’s First Take. Smith has also worked as an analyst on NBA Countdown since 2021 and previously hosted radio programs for ESPN and Fox Sports Radio.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

NFL Questions Nielsen Ratings Accuracy as Season Kicks off Thursday

BSM Staff
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NFL Questions Nielsen Ratings Accuracy as Season Kicks off Thursday

The National Football League is challenging Nielsen, the long-standing audience-measurement company, over what it calls underreported viewership for league games. NFL Chief Data and Analytics Officer Paul Ballew said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that Nielsen is under estimating millions of viewers. A concern that could impact advertising revenue for media partners and complicate future rights negotiations.

“There are millions of viewers that we believe they are systematically undercounting,” Ballew said in an interview with the outlet.

As the NFL kicks off a new season, the league has also been exploring alternative measurement solutions to supplement Nielsen’s data. VideoAmp, a firm specializing in tracking streaming audiences, has been part of the experimentation. According to the report, Disney’s ESPN has reportedly tested VideoAmp and found its insights useful. Though Nielsen has criticized the company’s methodology and small panel size.

Nielsen, meanwhile, defended its ratings. A spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal the company is “confident this will be the most accurately rated football season in history.” She emphasized its ongoing work with the league to innovate data collection. The firm recently launched a “Big Data + Panel” methodology, tracking 45 million homes and 75 million devices in addition to its traditional panel of roughly 42,000 homes.

Despite the improvements, Ballew noted that Nielsen’s approach does not yet fully account for first-party streaming data from many platforms that carry NFL games. The league’s partnerships with Amazon, Netflix, NBC’s Peacock, CBS’s Paramount+ and ESPN’s digital platform make capturing these viewers increasingly critical. Streaming services often guard their audience data closely, further complicating the task.

Co-viewing—people watching together at home—is another area of concern. Nielsen maintains its co-viewing measurement, but the NFL has requested deeper analysis, citing potential underrepresentation.

Delays in Nielsen’s data releases and restatements of ratings have also frustrated the NFL. The league relies on timely and accurate measurements to inform advertising decisions. Nielsen said it has addressed these issues and continues to prioritize faster data delivery.

The NFL’s scrutiny of Nielsen underscores broader industry challenges as audiences fragment across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. For roughly 80 years, Nielsen has been considered the gold standard of ratings. Yet as consumption habits evolve, sports leagues and networks are increasingly testing alternative methodologies to ensure every viewer—traditional or streaming—is counted.

With the exception of Netflix, which has a shorter pact. The NFL’s current deals with its rights partners run through the 2033 season. The league has a window to reopen the deals after the 2029 season, however, and it has indicated that is likely to happen.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

ESPN ‘ManningCast’ Returns for Fifth Season With Twelve Scheduled Broadcasts

BSM Staff
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ESPN ‘ManningCast’ Returns for Fifth Season With Twelve Scheduled Broadcasts

ESPN and Omaha Productions announced that Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will return for its fifth season, further cementing its position as the most-established alternate telecast in sports media. The Emmy-winning series, widely known as the ManningCast, will feature 12 games this season, a mix of new guests, and the signature blend of analysis, humor, and wit that has become synonymous with Peyton and Eli Manning.

The new season kicks off with the NFC North clash between the Vikings and Bears, highlighting the NFL debut of J.J. McCarthy and the second season of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams under new Vikings head coach Ben Johnson. Peyton and Eli return to the booth for Lions-Ravens in Week 3 and Chiefs-Jaguars in Week 5 before a six-week consecutive stretch that includes matchups such as Commanders-Chiefs (Week 8), Cardinals-Cowboys (Week 9), Eagles-Packers (Week 10), Cowboys-Raiders (Week 11), Panthers-49ers (Week 12), and Giants-Patriots (Week 13).

The regular season concludes with Dolphins-Steelers in Week 15 and the first Week 18 game, with the matchup and kickoff time to be announced. The season finale will air on Monday night of Wild Card Weekend, January 12, maintaining the tradition of ending with a high-profile playoff telecast.

Debuting in 2021, the joint ESPN-Omaha presentation has surpassed 50 episodes and continues to air on ESPN2. Fans can also stream episodes via ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platforms, including the ESPN App and NFL+ on mobile devices. Each broadcast begins shortly after 8 p.m. ET, following the traditional Monday Night Football schedule.

The ManningCast complements ESPN’s standard Monday Night Football coverage, which features Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge, while also covering multiple games in Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 7 before Doubleheader Saturday in Week 18. The network’s 25-game Monday Night Football portfolio offers fans a variety of viewing options throughout the season.

In its first four seasons, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli has aired 42 telecasts, averaging 1.3 million viewers per show. The series has earned two Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Live Series, while Peyton Manning has twice received Sports Emmys for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst, most recently in May 2025. Between individual and group accolades, the ManningCast has claimed a Sports Emmy in each of its four seasons, underscoring its status as both a fan favorite and industry-recognized broadcast.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

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