Signing Day with people freaking out about Alabama's recruiting class. It is like a lifeblood for people no matter if it is college or professional football. Despite having its highest ratings last year, the NFL wanted more people to watch Thursday night games and every major network put a bid in. CBS came out on top and this whole thing has many different lanes with many things that could happen with this new Thursday night package.
CBS announces the number one team, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, will get the Thursday night package meaning they decide not to vault another broadcast team. With CBS in somewhat flux with their broadcast team as Dan Dierdorf retired and I believe Greg Gumbel will stay yet many people are pushing for Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts to become the new number two team at CBS. While Gumbel gets a great deal of respect, 'The Bird and The Beard' as they are known as fan favorites. It would have been cool to see CBS give Eagle and Fouts the Thursday night gig yet I understand their decision to go with Nantz and Simms. This is a big moment for NFL on CBS' brand, and they want their head team in charge of it.NFL Network will get six Thursday night games later in the season as well as two Saturday games in Week 16. They will get to simulcast the CBS games as well as using their pregame, halftime and post game hosts as well as their sideline reporters. It will basically be the NFL Network's game with some added CBS elements. This is a great opportunity for NFL Network to get creative with their simulcast. ESPN did this with their National Championship coverage where they had a bar setting, natural sound, using radio calls of the teams and watching the game from a different angle. All could be in play for the NFL Network. I do not know if CBS will go along with this as it might divert eyes away from their network, but it is at least something to think about for them next year.
Another interesting aspect is what are the teams CBS will get for these games? It is unlikely all of these games will feature AFC teams meaning they might be able to get an extra NFC game meaning they could have San Francisco 49ers or Green Bay Packers on three times versus the usual two times of the season. Will the NFL allow a Packers-Minnesota Vikings matchup on CBS or will that not be allowed? This truly interests me which makes me a complete nerd, but FOX has to be upset with this development as theoretically, they could only have a team like Green Bay for only 11 or 12 games. CBS could pull a major coup over their competition.
The rebirth of the Saturday game is fantastic with a doubleheader where one will be played in late afternoon while the other is in primetime. Will anyone care this is the first Saturday of the college bowl season? Likely not. Usually this is when college basketball makes their voice known, will that matter? Nope, not one bit. This will also add element for fantasy football. This is the final week of fantasy meaning a championship could be decided as early as Saturday if you have a player like a Jamaal Charles going off for a big game. Additionally, this is a big help to the bars as people whom might not come out for a Sunday afternoon will definitely be there for a late-afternoon or primetime Saturday night game. Everybody wins with a day of Saturday football.
NFL will now win ratings likely on Thursday nights in primetime while helping CBS in the process even though they have Big Bang Theory which is near the top of primetime television on Thursdays. Now they can move it another day and continue to dominate the ratings throughout the week. This should be a fun experience for the 2014 season.
Charlie.
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