I was thinking at the beginning of Wednesday that this was going to be a boring day covering sports media and it certainly started that way. But then at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, it all changed when the NFL owners approved the new TV contracts with the network partners. So let’s take a look at the features of the new contract and I’ll summarize what each network will receive.
NFL 
- 9 year contract beginning in 2014. Expires after the 2022 season.
- Longest agreement for network television partners.
- More Thursday Night Football games beginning in 2012.
- Expanded flexible scheduling.
- ESPN will probably pick up a Wild Card Playoff game.
CBS 
- Rights fee reportedly $1 billion per year.
- Continues as the AFC Network. Home of AFC Championship Game.
- Broadcasts Super Bowls L (2016), LIII (2019) and LVI (2022).
- Will air selected NFC games.
- Flex scheduling allows better games to be shown in the 4:15 p.m. window.
- Allowed to stream games online via computers and tablets.
FOX 
- Rights fee reportedly $1.1 billion per year.
- Continues as the NFC Network and home to the NFC Championship Game.
- Airs Super Bowls LI (2017), LIV (2020) and LVII (2023).
- Will air selected AFC games.
- Expanded flex scheduling will allow for more attractive games in the 4:15 p.m. ET window.
- Can stream games on computers and tablets.
NBC 
- Rights fee reportedly $950 million per year.
- Remains as network of Sunday Night Football.
- Will air Thanksgiving Night game starting in 2012.
- Schedule will consist of 19 regular season games (2 Thursday Night & 17 Sunday Night games)
- Will air one Wild Card Playoff Game and one Divisional Round Game.
- Airs Super Bowls XLIX (2015), LII (2018) and LV (2021).
- Flex schedule to begin earlier in the season.
- Online streaming to expand to tablets (NBC has been streaming Sunday Night Football on computers).
- NBC Sports Network to begin airing Sunday morning pregame show in 2014.
In September, ESPN and the NFL announced an 8 year extension for Monday Night Football lasting through the 2021 season. As you can see, ESPN will most likely get a Wild Card Playoff game. It is not in the Super Bowl rotation under the new contracts approved by the NFL team owners today.
The remaining television issues for the 2014-2022 contracts are the one remaining Wild Card Playoff Game (most likely to ESPN), the first half partner for Thursday Night Football (most likely between NBC Sports Network and Turner Sports with Fox and ESPN as dark horses) and the one remaining Divisional Round playoff game that’s floating around. Will that become part of an NBC doubleheader or will ESPN grab that as well? We’ll find out in due time.
