I thought NBC would take the package. Instead, CBS wins the bid for Thursday Night Football and will split the games with NFL Network. The Tiffany Network will produce the games. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call all of the Thursday games. CBS will air the first half of the 16 game package, all on Thursday nights. NFL Network will then air the second half with six games airing on Thursdays and two on Saturdays.
CBS will produce the entire Thursday Night Football package. And as has been reported, the first half will be a simulcast CBS/NFL Network simulcast.
NFL Network will produce the pregame, halftime and postgame shows and will include a mix of NFLN and CBS talent.
The contract is for one season with an option for another year.
This is truly shocking. I thought NBC which needed a boost on Thursday nights would overspend to take the package.
This marks the first time that CBS will have a primetime NFL package. I’ll give you the press release in a separate post.
UPDATE, 1:10 p.m.: According to Joe Flint at the Los Angeles Times, CBS paid in the neighborhood of $300 million for the Thursday Night Football rights.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: Fox Sports has issued a statement expressing disappointment in losing the package to CBS.
We were clearly interested in having Thursday Night Football at FOX in 2014, and submitted a bid that we were sure would be competitive with those offered by other parties. We had terrific dialogue with the NFL during the process, and we believe that the Thursday night franchise has great value going forward. While disappointed to learn that the league has decided to go in a different direction, we’re already looking forward to Sundays next season.
More later.
UPDATE, 8:20 p.m.: More developments continue to leak about the new Thursday Night Football contract. First, NBC gave this statement on losing the package to CBS.
“We congratulate the NFL and CBS on their deal. We have an outstanding partnership with the NFL, and we will continue looking for ways to grow our relationship with them.”
According to multiple reports, it appears the two Saturday night games that NFL Network will air as part of its half of the package will be a Week 16 doubleheader which will end its season. No word if Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call one of those games.
