Ok, the 2014 NFL season is upon us. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to see on television this season and beyond in this new TV contract.
So any blackouts?
No, not this week. And it appears that blackouts will be at a minimum this season. One market, Tampa-St. Petersburg which had a slew of blackouts over the past few seasons won’t have that problem this year.
But, keep an eye on the FCC which wants to lift the NFL blackout rule. The NFL wants to keep it in place, but the FCC feels the rule is antiquated. Just know the NFL will use its power to keep it around, but it appears the FCC wants to get rid of it which is a good thing.
So what’s new this year?
Well, let’s begin with the obvious. CBS has Thursday Night Football this year. It will carry the first seven games of the season, then make way for NFL Network for the next seven Thursday night games. In addition, the two networks will split a Saturday night doubleheader in Week 16. NFL Network will simulcast CBS’ portion of the schedule.
Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson will be assigned to the entire package. CBS will produce the pregame show and game broadcast. NFL Network will produce a pre-pregame show. And the schedule has been bolstered with division matchups. Expect TNF to do well, but not to the point of Sunday Night Football, but better than Monday Night Football.
And there’s crossover games too.
What? Crossover games? What’s that?
Crossover games will allow CBS to air NFC games and Fox to carry AFC games. It used to be CBS strictly carried AFC games and interconference games when the AFC visited the NFC and Fox strictly had the NFC and interconference games where the NFC visited the AFC. This season, CBS gets to carry a few NFC interconference games and sole NFC conference games. Fox gets to carry AFC interconference games and sole AFC conference games.
It begins this week where Fox airs Buffalo at Chicago at 1 p.m. ET (with Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa). Next week, CBS airs Atlanta at Cincinnati. It’s a brave new world.
And Thanksgiving Day, CBS will have Green Bay at Detroit in the early slot.
Also, the NFL can flex AFC games to Fox and NFC games to CBS in the late Sunday afternoon window this season balancing out the schedule.
Um, more flexes?
Yup. And now the NFL can flex earlier starting in Week 5, but it can only do it twice between then and Week 10. Games can be flexed not only to Sunday night, but into the 4:25 p.m. ET window for either CBS and Fox. But in Week 11, the same rules apply, games can be flexed at any time. But you won’t see any flexing between now and Week 4. The schedule will remain the same. And flexes will only take place on Sundays, not Mondays or Thursdays.
My head is spinning. At least the broadcast booth will remain the same, right?
Sorry, my friend. There are a few changes. Dan Dierdorf has left CBS to broadcast Michigan football. That means Greg Gumbel will have a new partner, Trent Green and a sideline reporter, Evan Washburn.
Marv Albert has also left CBS and that means Kevin Harlan has a new partner in Rich Gannon. Andrew Catalon has been promoted by CBS and will work with Steve Tasker and Steve Beuerlein. Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts move up to the “B” team and have Jenny Dell as their sideline reporter. Spero Dedes will work with Solomon Wilcots. And CBS will utilize other announcers to fill spots throughout the season.
On Fox, David Diehl joins the network and will work with Thom Brennaman. Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch have been officially named as Fox’s “B” team. Brian Billick is no longer with Fox. And Ronde Barber who worked with Dick Stockton last season works with Chris Myers this year. Dick Stockton will have rotating analysts.
I notice you mentioned sideline reporters on CBS. They’re back?
Yes, CBS has brought back the sideline reporter. Tracy Wolfson from the SEC on CBS will be the main sideline reporter working with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. Jenny Dell will be with Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts. And Evan Washburn will be on the Greg Gumbel/Trent Green team.
What about Fox? They all must be the same right?
No. Erin Andrews has been promoted from the Kevin Burkhardt/John Lynch team to the “A” team with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. It means that Pam Oliver will be on with Burkhardt/Lynch and it marks her final season on the NFL as Fox will move her to a reporting role in 2015. She’s not happy.
And other sideline reporters for Fox include Laura Okmin, Jennifer Hale and Kristina Pink.
Kris Budden and Jaime Maggio have either been reassigned or have left the network altogether.
What about Monday Night Football this week?
Doubleheader once again to open the season. NY Giants at Detroit open the night at 7:10 p.m. with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters. The nightcap at 10:20 p.m. will pit San Diego at Arizona. Chris Berman, Trent Dilfer and Lindsay Czarniak will call the late game.
Trey Wingo hosts Monday Night Countdown for this week only.
Why is Berman calling a game?
Because ESPN wants him to. And depending on whom you believe, he lobbied for it or ESPN felt he deserved the assignment after working at the network since 1979. Who knows?
Anything else?
That is it. Enjoy your NFL Sunday. There are 17 regular season weeks and five more after that. Let’s have a great season.
