This in from Showtime, Inside the NFL will move from Wednesday nights to Tuesday nights at 9 ET starting September 2. And here’s the kicker, the show will air for the first time on basic cable when NFL Network re-airs the show on Wednesday nights.
Greg Gumbel replaces James Brown as host. Phil Simms returns as one of the analysts. Boomer Esiason replaces long-time cast member Cris Collinsworth who was the lone holdover from the HBO days. Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed joins the show as does current Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
As usual, Inside the NFL will not be made available for streaming on the Showtime Anytime app.
It’s interesting that Inside the NFL will use a current player as an analyst. Not sure if Marshall will be flying into the INFL studios in New Jersey or will be seen via a link from the Bears headquarters. UPDATE, 3 p.m.: Pete Radovich, Jr., the coordinating producer of Inside the NFL told me via Twitter that Marshall will be in the studio for most of the season.
@fangsbites @insidetheNFL In studio most of the time.
— Pete Radovich, Jr. (@PeteRadovich) August 14, 2014
Of course the move to Tuesdays is an accommodation for Simms who will be calling Thursday Night Football each week on CBS and/or NFL Network.
Here’s the announcement.
NEW TEAM, NEW NIGHT: “INSIDE THE NFL” SET FOR SEVENTH SEASON ON SHOWTIME®
Ed Reed, Current Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall and Boomer Esiason Join Phil Simms And Host Greg Gumbel on INSIDE THE NFL As Weekly Series Moves To Tuesdays Beginning September 2
NEW YORK(August 14, 2014) – Former 12-year NFL veteran safety and nine-time Pro Bowler Ed Reed, current Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Boomer Esiason join Phil Simms as analysts, along with new host Greg Gumbel, on INSIDE THE NFL when the series begins its seventh season on SHOWTIME on Tuesday, September 2.
The announcement was made today by Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports® and Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports and Executive Producer, THE NFL ON CBS.
INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME will move to Tuesday nights with the premiere on Tuesday, September 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The show, produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films, will air every Tuesday during the NFL season through February 4, 2015. NFL Network will re-air the show on Wednesdays (9 p.m. ET) throughout the season.
“The additions of Greg as host, along with new analysts Boomer, Ed and Brandon, combined with Phil, follow along in the tradition of excellence that fans have come to expect from this show,” said McManus. “With Ed just coming off the playing field and Brandon still on it, this show truly brings a unique perspective that is unseen on any other show.”
“We’ve assembled, perhaps, the most dynamic cast in this show’s long history,” said Espinoza. “Of course, the program will continue to deliver breath-taking highlights and exclusive features. And now, we are coupling the respected and accomplished personalities of Simms, Boomer and Greg Gumbel with a defensive perspective from Ed Reed and Brandon Marshall’s perspective directly from the field. We are as excited as ever for the new season.”
Reed, a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl safety, takes on his first full-time role as an analyst after a 12-year career in the NFL. Marshall, a five-time Pro Bowl receiver in nine seasons thus far, will trade his pads and cleats for a suit and microphone once a week in his first start as an analyst—serving as the first active NFL player analyst in the show’s 37-year history—while sports media veterans Esiason and Gumbel are joining INSIDE THE NFL for the first time. Simms will continue in his role that began when the series moved to SHOWTIME in 2008 while adding “CBS/Thursday Night Football” to his robust in-season schedule.
INSIDE THE NFL covers every game, every week, with trademark highlights from NFL Films, special, in-depth features and spirited debate on the hottest topics in the league.
In just seven seasons on SHOWTIME, INSIDE THE NFL has won seven Sports EMMY® Awards, including two for Outstanding Studio Show. Past hosts of the storied program dating back to the 1970’s have included Chuck Bednarik, James Brown, Nick Buoniconti, Cris Carter, Cris Collinsworth, Bob Costas, Len Dawson, Jerry Glanville, Jimmy Johnson, Peter King, Dan Marino, and Warren Sapp.
INSIDE THE NFL is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films. The executive producers are Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports, Ross Ketover and Pat Kelleher of NFL Films. Pete Radovich Jr., the Emmy Award-winning Creative Director for CBS Sports, serves as coordinating producer.
That is all.
