Tag: Monday Night Football

“Monday Night Football” Delivers Another Record-Shattering Viewership

Posted on by Danielle Langer





“Monday Night Football” Delivers Another Record-Shattering Viewership, as More Than 19.3 Million Viewers Watch Cowboys-Giants
The audience of more than 19.3 million viewers bested ESPN’s previous “MNF” Week 3 audience high by 11% (17.5 million viewers for Green Bay at Chicago, Sept. 27, 2010).
[via press release from ESPN]
“Monday Night Football” Delivers another Record-Shattering Viewership, as More than 19.3 Million Viewers Watch Cowboys-Giants

· Most-Watched MNF Week 3 Game in ESPN Era and Fourth Most-Watched Monday Game in ESPN Era

· Giants-Cowboys Up 29% Year-Over-Year from Week 3 Dallas Game in 2021

· Follows ESPN’s Record Breaking Week 1 Audience; 2022 Season Has Delivered Two of Four Most-Watched Monday Games in ESPN Era

· Every Week of 2022 Season: MNF Action has Peaked at More than 20 Million Viewers

ESPN’s Monday Night Football has shattered multiple records three weeks into the 2022 season and aired two of its four most-watched Monday games in its 17 year history airing the television franchise (more than 270 games).

Monday Night Football’s Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants presentation (September 26, 8:15 p.m.) generated 19,342,000 viewers (ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes), MNF’s best Week 3 audience in the ESPN era (2006 – present) and the fourth best Monday game in the same era. The audience of more than 19.3 million viewers bested ESPN’s previous MNF Week 3 audience high by 11% (17.5 million viewers for Green Bay at Chicago, Sept. 27, 2010). Year-over-year, the Cowboys-Giants audience is up 29% from Week 3 in 2021, which also featured the Cowboys, then hosting the Eagles (15 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2).

Monday Night Football is Re-Writing the Record Books

The record-setting Monday Night Football Week 3 audience follows its own record-setting Week 1 audience, when 19.85 million viewers for Denver-Seattle drove MNF to its most-watched season opener in network history. That same game is third most-watched Monday game in ESPN’s MNF era.

Factoring in all regular season games of ESPN’s current age of NFL rights (2006 – present), MNF has delivered its fourth and fifth most-watched games of the current rights period this season, as one Saturday game also makes the Top 5.

Rank Date Game Viewership
1 Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 Green Bay at Minnesota 21,839,000
2 Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 New Orleans at New England 21,402,000
3 Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 Dallas at Philadelphia 20,195,000
4 Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 Denver at Seattle 19,845,000
5 Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 Dallas at New York Giants 19,342,000

Surging With Over 20 Million Viewers

In Week 2, the first of its kind ‘two games, one night’ averaged nearly 21 million viewers during the two hours of overlapping action. As a result, Monday Night Football action has peaked with more than 20 million viewers in each of the first three weeks, the first time that feat has been accomplished in Weeks 1-3 during the ESPN era.

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Adds to its Most-Watched Alternate Telecast List

In Week 3, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli drew 1.4 million viewers (ESPN2 and ESPN+), further bolstering the show’s status as ESPN’s most-watched alternate telecast. Through the first two editions this season, the show is averaging 1.46 million viewers, up 15% from the show’s first two episodes last year (Weeks 1 and 2). MNF with Peyton and Eli now holds the ESPN record for the 11 most-watched alternate telecasts.

Additional highlights

· Monday Night Football was the most-watched primetime game in Week 3

· ABC and ESPN were the two most-watched telecasts of the night, winning the night among both broadcast and cable

Monday Night Football Week 4: NFC Championship Rematch – Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers

Monday Night Football will feature an NFC Championship rematch in Week 4, as the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers (October 3, 8 p.m.) face off from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters will have the call on ESPN with Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli returning to ESPN2.

Viewership reported by Nielsen includes streaming audience across ESPN/Disney and NFL digital properties.

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ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Nabs Nearly 20 Million Viewers

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Nabs Nearly 20 Million Viewers in Record-Setting Season Opener
ESPN delivered its most-watched game since 2009 and its third best Monday game in the current era (2006 – present and 270+ games) with 19,845,000 viewers.
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Nabs Nearly 20 Million Viewers in Record-Setting Season Opener

· Most-Watched Monday Night Football Game Since 2009 and Third-Best in ESPN Era

· Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Up 86% from 2021 Season Debut

· Sunday NFL Countdown Week 1 Audience Equals Best Since 2016

ESPN’s delivered its most-watched Monday Night Football game since 2009 and its third best Monday game in the current era (2006 – present and 270+ games), as 19,845,000 viewers – across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes – turned in for the Seattle Seahawks’ victory over the Denver Broncos in quarterback Russell Wilson’s return (September 12, 8:15 p.m. ET).

The highly anticipated showdown, which marked the debut of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the Monday Night Football broadcast booth and began Lisa Salters’ 11th season on the franchise’s sideline, was easily ESPN’s most-watched Week 1 game since it began airing Monday Night Football (32 games) and was up 16% from last year’s record-setting Week 1 audience.

Factoring in all regular season games of ESPN’s current era of NFL rights (2006 – present), last night’s game is the fourth best on record:

Rank Date Game Viewership
1 Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 Minnesota at Green Bay 21,839,000
2 Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 New Orleans at New England 21,402,000
3 Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 Dallas at Philadelphia 20,195,000
4 Monday, Sept.12, 2022 Denver at Seattle 19,845,000

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli garnered 1,502,000 viewers (on ESPN2 and ESPN+), a staggering 86% jump from their season debut last year (805,000 viewers). The alternate presentation adds to its record setting alternate telecast historical viewership, as it now accounts for all 10 of ESPN’s 10 most-watched alternate telecasts (more than 80 since 2014).

Sunday NFL Countdown Generates Significant Audience Increase

Sunday NFL Countdown (Sept. 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) registered 1.6 million viewers for its Week 1 edition, matching the 2019 season as the most-watched Kickoff Week episode since 2016. The pre-game show was up 35% from 2021 Week 1 installments.

COMING UP: Monday Night Football – Two Games, One Night in Week 2

Monday Night Football in Week 2 will feature two games in one night, as Disney Networks present more than five hours of consecutive football action across ESPN and ABC. The night begins with Tennessee at Buffalo at 7:15 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN with Minnesota at Philadelphia kicking off at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters will call Vikings-Eagles, while Steve Levy, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick and Laura Rutledge will call Titans-Bills. More on Monday’s coverage plans later this week.

Viewership reported by Nielsen includes streaming audience across ESPN and NFL digital properties.

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2022 NFL Schedule for ESPN and The Walt Disney Company

Posted on by Danielle Langer





A Record-Setting 23-Game Slate, “Monday Night Football” with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters, and the First ESPN+ Exclusive Game Among the Highlights of the 2022 NFL Schedule for ESPN and The Walt Disney Company
In addition to its Week 2 and 18 games, ABC is set to simulcast ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” presentation in Weeks 1, 3, 15 and 17.
[via press release from ESPN]
A Record-Setting 23-Game Slate, “Monday Night Football” with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters, and the First ESPN+ Exclusive Game Among the Highlights of the 2022 NFL Schedule for ESPN and The Walt Disney Company

· Opening Week MegaCast: Monday Night Football’s 53rd Season Kicks Off with Broncos QB Russell Wilson’s Seattle Homecoming on ESPN and ABC; Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Returns the Same Night

· Two Games, One Night: ESPN (Tennessee at Buffalo) and ABC (Minnesota at Philadelphia) Each Televise a Monday Night Football Game in Week 2

· ESPN+ Exclusive Game Features Denver at Jacksonville from London in Week 8

· Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Derek Carr, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford and Wilson Among Decorated Quarterbacks on MNF

ESPN will present 23 NFL games – 21 regular season games, plus the Monday night Super Wild Card Game and Pro Bowl – during the 2022 NFL season, delivering The Walt Disney Company’s most-expansive NFL season to date. The record-setting regular season consists of 18 Monday Night Football games, including two games on one night across ESPN and ABC in Week 2, the first exclusive game on ESPN+ in Week 8, and a Saturday doubleheader in Week 18 featuring matchups with playoff implications on ESPN and simulcast on ABC. In addition to its Week 2 and 18 games, ABC is set to simulcast ESPN’s Monday Night Football presentation in Weeks 1, 3, 15 and 17.

A schedule peppered with MVPs, marquee quarterbacks and recent Super Bowl Champions, combined with legendary broadcast duo Joe Buck and Troy Aikman’s first season with ESPN, headlines the Monday Night Football campaign. Buck and Aikman will be joined by Lisa Salters, who returns for her own record-setting 11th season with the franchise. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will be back for 10 games in their second season after shattering ESPN’s alternate telecast viewership records in the show’s 2021 debut.

ESPN’s expanded portfolio of games is a result of the long-term rights agreement that ESPN, the NFL and The Walt Disney Company reached in March 2021.

ESPN’s MegaCast Production Begins 2022 Monday Night Football Campaign

The 2022 campaign begins with ESPN’s MegaCast production as Russell Wilson returns to Seattle as quarterback of the Broncos in Week 1 (Sept. 12). ESPN’s presentation will be simulcast on ABC, with Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli offering their alternate telecast. Additional season highlights:

· Two Games, One Night: Tennessee at Buffalo at 7:15 p.m. ET airs on ESPN with Minnesota at Philadelphia broadcast at 8:30 p.m. on ABC in Week 2

· ESPN Goes International: ESPN+ will carry the Wembley Stadium showdown featuring the Broncos and Jaguars in London on Sunday, October 30 at 9:30 a.m. and then Monday Night Football returns to Mexico City on November 21 for the 49ers and Cardinals.

· Lambeau in December: The Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers is one of the marquee games of the season. The game will mark the Packers’ 30th straight season on Monday Night Football.

· NFC Championship Rematch: The Rams will travel to San Francisco in Week 4.

· AFC Champions: The Bengals will appear twice, as Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase travel to Cleveland in Week 8 and host Buffalo in Week 17.

· MVPs: Every MVP from the 2016 season to present day appears on the schedule (Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Matt Ryan)

· Divisional Matchups: Eight divisional showdowns total, beginning with Cowboys-Giants in Week 3. That NFC East clash is the first of four consecutive divisional contests on the schedule (Weeks 3-6).

· Divisional Champion and Playoff Teams: All eight division champions and all 14 playoff teams from last season appear on the MNF schedule.

· Playoff Implications in Final Week: ESPN, with a simulcast on ABC, will air a Week 18 Saturday doubleheader (January 7, 2023) featuring two games with playoff implications on the line. Teams for both games will be determined later in the season.

A complete game-by-game breakdown:

Week 1:

· Broncos at Seahawks (September 12, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN and ABC)
· Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will make his return to Seattle in Monday Night Football’s season debut. Out of all 32 teams, the Seahawks have the best all-time record when playing on MNF (27-12). Week 2:

· Titans at Bills (September 19, 2022 – 7:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· The AFC South divisional champion Tennessee Titans will travel to the AFC East champion Bills for Buffalo’s home opener in the first of two Monday Night Football games that evening. This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the franchises on MNF. The Titans beat the Bills 34-31 in Tennessee in Week 6 on MNF last season, stopping Josh Allen on 4th & 1 in the final seconds, after the Titans scored 10 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. The Titans are 4-1 in their previous five MNF appearances dating back to the 2017 season.

· Vikings at Eagles (September 19, 2022 – 8:30 p.m. – ABC)
· This is the third all-time meeting between the franchises on Monday Night Football. The Eagles won each of the previous two matchups, most recently in 2004’s Week 2 (27-16). Week 3:

· Cowboys at Giants (September 26, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN and ABC)
· The first of four consecutive weeks of divisional showcases on Monday Night Football. Dak Prescott will be looking for his 10th win against the Giants; he has not lost to the Giants since he was a rookie in 2016. Week 4:

· Rams at 49ers (October 3, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Monday Night Football will get its first glimpse of the Super Bowl Champion, Los Angeles Rams, when they travel to San Francisco. The last time the two teams met, the Rams scored 13 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to beat their divisional rival and advance to Super Bowl LVI. Week 5:

· Raiders at Chiefs (October 10, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· The Raiders will travel to Kansas City in Week 10 with new star power – Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Davante Adams and Chandler Jones – in the hopes of taking down divisional rival, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Week 6:

· Broncos at Chargers (October 17, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· This will be Russell Wilson’s first time taking on the former Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert, in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. Week 7:

· Bears at Patriots (October 24, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· A showdown between two top-15 quarterbacks from the 2021 Draft class, the Bears’ Justin Fields and Patriots’ Mac Jones. Week 8:

· Broncos at Jaguars from London (October 30, 2022 – 9:30 a.m. – ESPN+)
· ESPN will carry its first ever NFL game in London, an ESPN+ exclusive, as the Denver Broncos take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at London’s Wembley Stadium. Trevor Lawrence and Russell Wilson will both make their second career starts across the pond.

· Bengals at Browns (October 31, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to their in-state AFC North divisional rivals, the Cleveland Browns, for a Halloween night matchup. Joe Burrow will look to record his first win in Cleveland; the Bengals have lost all four contests against the Bengals during the Joe Burrow-era. Week 9:

· Ravens at Saints (November 7, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Jameis Winston will look to even the Saints’ all-time record against the Ravens as Baltimore holds a 5-2 edge in clashes between the two teams. Week 10:

· Commanders at Eagles (November 14, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Washington quarterback Carson Wentz, who was drafted by the Eagles with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and spent five seasons with the team, will return to Philadelphia. Week 11:

· 49ers at Cardinals (November 21, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Monday Night Football returns to Mexico City for the first time since 2019, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West showdown. In 2021, the Cardinals went 2-0 against their divisional foe. This will be ESPN’s fourth time televising an NFL game from Mexico City – previously, the franchise televised games from there in 2019 (Chiefs-Chargers) and 2016 (Raiders-Texans), following a Sunday Night Football telecast in 2005 (Cardinals-49ers). Week 12:

· Steelers at Colts (November 28, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· This marks the first MNF game in Indianapolis since 2015. The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the second-highest winning percentage on MNF (67.1%). Week 13:

· Saints at Bucs (December 5, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Tom Brady will look to record his 20th win on Monday Night Football. Week 14:

· Patriots at Cardinals (December 12, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury will attempt to get his first win against the team that drafted him in 2003. Kingsbury was a backup QB on New England’s Super Bowl XXXVIII championship team. Week 15:

· Rams at Packers (December 19, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN and ABC)
· When the Los Angeles Rams travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 15, the matchup will mark 30 straight seasons of the Packers appearing on Monday Night Football (longest current streak among all NFL teams). This game will also be quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ 20th all-time MNF game. Week 16:

· Chargers at Colts (December 26, 2022 – 8:15 p.m. – ESPN)
· Justin Herbert, one of the league’s top, young quarterbacks, will take on Matt Ryan, a former MVP and four-time Pro Bowler. Herbert and the Chargers beat Ryan in 2020 when Ryan was a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Week 17:

· Bills at Bengals (January 2, 2023 – 8:30 p.m. – ESPN and ABC)
· After breakout seasons in 2021, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow will meet in Week 17 for the first time. ESPN’s NFL Preseason Games

· Bears at Seattle (August 18, 2022 – 8 p.m. on ESPN)

· Atlanta at New York Jets (August 22, 2022 – 8 p.m. on ESPN)

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ESPN’s 2022 NFL International Games: First-Ever ESPN+ Exclusive Game Set

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s 2022 NFL International Games: First-Ever ESPN+ Exclusive Game Set for London and “Monday Night Football” Returns to Mexico City
The international games are part of The Walt Disney Company’s 21-game 2022 regular season schedule, with the remaining matchups to be announced next week.
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN’s 2022 NFL International Games: First-Ever ESPN+ Exclusive Game Set for London and Monday Night Football Returns to Mexico City

· Broncos at Jaguars from Wembley Stadium in Week 8 on ESPN+

· 49ers vs. Cardinals on Monday Night Football from Estadio Azteca Stadium in Week 11 on ESPN and ESPN Deportes

· ESPN’s Complete 21-Game Regular Season Slate to be Announced Thursday, May 12 in Prime Time

ESPN and ESPN+ will each carry an international games during the 2022 NFL season, with the first-ever exclusive NFL game on ESPN+ and the return of Monday Night Football to Mexico City. ESPN+ will feature the Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars from Wembley Stadium in London, England, at 9:30 a.m. ET on October 30 (Week 8) and Monday Night Football will see the San Francisco 49ers play the Arizona Cardinals from Estadio Azteca Stadium at 8 p.m. on November 21 (Week 11). Both games will also be available on local broadcast stations in the markets of the participating teams, with Monday Night Football also airing on ESPN Deportes.

The international games are part of The Walt Disney Company’s 21-game 2022 regular season schedule, with the remaining matchups to be announced next week. To conclude the season, ESPN will televise a Super Wild Card matchup and the Pro Bowl.

The exclusive ESPN+ NFL game this season begins an annual occurrence for the platform, as ESPN+ will carry one international game each year through the 2033 season – the duration of the new rights agreement announced last year. Select Monday Night Football and Super Wild Card games have been simulcast on ESPN+ previously.

Monday Night Football from Mexico City will leverage ESPN’s Mexico City production studios and local marketing resources as the network televises its fourth NFL game from the city. Previously, the franchise televised games from there in 2019 (Chiefs-Chargers) and 2016 (Raiders-Texans), following a Sunday Night Football telecast in 2005 (Cardinals-49ers).

Outside of the US, ESPN will air both games throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, the Netherlands and Africa.

ESPN2 and ESPN+ to Hold 2022 NFL Schedule Prime-time Release Specials

ESPN2 and ESPN+ will carry two separate NFL 2022 Schedule Reveal prime-time specials on Thursday, May 12 (8 p.m.), as the complete Monday Night Football schedule and the entire 2022 NFL slate is announced. On ESPN2, Laura Rutledge will host, along with analysts Tedy Bruschi and Damien Woody, and Senior Insider Adam Schefter. New Monday Night Football broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will make an appearance. On ESPN+. Between the Lines will air, as Daily Wager and ESPN’s Fantasy Football commentators examine the schedule in those realms.

ESPN+ and NFL

ESPN+ is also the exclusive home to the iconic weekly highlight show, NFL PrimeTime with Chris Berman; all 45 episodes of Peyton’s Places, discussing the heart of football history and its cultural impact, with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning; and The Fantasy Show with Matthew Berry, which aims to make fantasy football players smarter and help them win their leagues.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 21.3 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads). Subscribers to Hulu + Live TV also receive ESPN+ at no additional cost.

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ESPN Signs Legendary NFL Duo Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to Multi-Year Agreements

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN Signs Legendary NFL Duo Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to Multi-Year Agreements to Become New Voices of “Monday Night Football”
As part of the agreement, Buck and Aikman will both contribute content to ESPN+, with more details to be announced at a later date.
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN Signs Legendary NFL Duo Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to Multi-Year Agreements to Become New Voices of “Monday Night Football”

· Buck and Aikman’s MNF Debut Season will be 21st Together; Have Called Six Super Bowls

· Duo to Join Returning Reporter Lisa Salters on Celebrated Series

· Both to Contribute Content to ESPN+

ESPN has signed acclaimed play-by-play commentator Joe Buck and leading football analyst Troy Aikman to multi-year deals, as the NFL’s longest current booth pairing and Pro Football Hall of Fame members will become the new voices of Monday Night Football. The iconic duo’s 2022 Monday Night Football debut will mark their 21st NFL season in the booth together, matching the legendary Pat Summerall and John Madden’s all-time record as on-air NFL partners. In their two decades together, Buck and Aikman have called six Super Bowls, surpassing all other pairings/booths except for Summerall and Madden. Accomplished commentator Lisa Salters, Monday Night Football’s longest-tenured sideline reporter, will return for her 11th season on the series. John Parry will be the officiating analyst once again.

As part of the agreement, Buck and Aikman will both contribute content to ESPN+, with more details to be announced at a later date.

In the upcoming 2022-23 NFL Season, ESPN’s portfolio of games will increase from 20 to 22, with the addition of an exclusive Monday Night Football game on ABC and an exclusive Sunday international game on ESPN+. Adding in the Week 18 doubleheader which began this past season, ESPN will have three weeks with multiple games this season. That number jumps to five beginning in the 2023-24 season and continues for 10 seasons. ESPN will continue to televise the Pro Bowl, resulting in a 23rd game in the 2022-23 season. More details on who will be calling the additional games will be provided at a future date.

Aikman’s broadcasting ascension was preceded by three Super Bowl wins and a renowned career as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, his first year of eligibility. Buck joined Aikman in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, as he was honored with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, recognizing his impact after more than 25 years of calling some of the sport’s biggest moments and matchups.

Buck and Aikman’s regular-season Monday Night Football debut is set for September 12, 2022, beginning the longstanding television series’ 53rd season. Phil Dean will return as producer, and Jimmy Platt as director, for their third and fourth seasons, respectively, on the weekly franchise. On the same night, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will return for a second season.

“When you have the opportunity to bring in the iconic, longest-running NFL broadcasting duo, you take it, especially at a time when we are on the cusp of a new era in our expanding relationship with the NFL,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content. “The NFL continues to ascend, and we now have more games than ever before, providing additional opportunities for Joe, Troy and our deep roster of commentators.”

Stephanie Druley, ESPN Head of Event and Studio Production, said, “Joe and Troy’s résumé and longevity together is unparalleled amongst today’s NFL broadcasters. Throughout their many marquee games, including an impressive six Super Bowls, their knowledge has made viewers smarter and their passion is evident. They’ve been there for some of the NFL’s biggest moments and we are fortunate to bring that experience to Monday Night Football. Together, with the excellent reporting and storytelling of Lisa Salters, Joe and Troy will provide the foundation for this new era of Monday Night Football.”

Joe Buck added, “Everything about Monday Night Football, including the broadcast, set the standard for the modern NFL experience. My earliest memories of walking around football stadiums are tagging along with my dad as he called Monday Night Football on radio. To return to the stadium on Monday nights with Troy – who I have the utmost comfort with and confidence in – and begin a new chapter, for us and ESPN, has me excited about this season and our future.”

Troy Aikman said, “The opportunity to be a voice on Monday Night Football, adding to its legacy and being a part of the future of the NFL on ESPN, has me motivated and reflective. As a kid in California, the voices of Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and my mom’s personal favorite, Don Meredith, echoed throughout our living room each week. Joe and I are humbled to be part of that same tradition that has existed for more than 50 years across generations of football fans. I am looking forward to the next several years with ESPN and all our new teammates.”

Buck and Aikman: NFL’s Most-Seasoned Broadcast Booth

Buck and Aikman have been the NFL’s most consistent broadcasting tandem, beginning their partnership in 2002 as a three-man booth with analyst Cris Collinsworth, before becoming a duo in 2005. Over their 20 seasons together, they have called more than 275 regular-season games, more than 40 playoff matchups, 18 NFC Championships and Super Bowls XXXIX, XLII, XLV, XLVIII, LI and LIV. Both have been nominated for Sports Emmy Awards multiple times, with Buck winning a record-tying eight times for play-by-play.

Aikman’s Decorated Playing Career

Aikman’s Hall of Fame playing career began in 1989, when the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. His 12 years in the league were highlighted by victories in Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII and XXX. In his first Super Bowl, held at the Rose Bowl, the same field where he became an All-American with UCLA, Aikman was named MVP, following his four-touchdown-pass performance. In the midst of his incredible run, Aikman was named to six consecutive Pro Bowls, set more than 40 team passing records, and cemented his legacy as one of the Cowboys’ all-time greats.

Aikman retired from the NFL after the 2000-01 season and went immediately into the booth, working the 2001-02 season for FOX Sports, where he remained for the past two decades.

Buck Approaching 30th Season Calling NFL Games

At a mere 25 years old, Buck became a household voice for NFL fans. He made his NFL debut during the 1994-95 season, calling a full slate of games for FOX Sports, a role he has continued each subsequent year. As he enters his 29th consecutive season calling NFL games, Buck will become the eighth play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football. He has also continued a family legacy, as he and his dad, Jack, are the only father-son duo to both call network Super Bowls and be recognized with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. Jack Buck also had significant history with Monday Night Football, calling play-by-play on the national radio broadcast from 1978-1984 and 1987-1995.

Outside of the NFL, Joe Buck’s career accomplishments are vast and impressive, calling 24 World Series, 22 MLB All-Star games, five of golf’s U.S. Opens, and having hosted his own studio shows. Buck has been named the National Sports Media Association’s National Sportscaster of the Year four times, including three years in a row (2002-04, 2006).

ESPN Adds More Games in 2022-23 NFL Season

In the 2023-24 season, and through the duration of the landmark 10-year ESPN/NFL rights agreement, ESPN will have 25 games annually, consisting of 23 regular-season games and a Wild Card and Divisional Playoff game. ESPN will also televise the Pro Bowl, adding a 26th game to each season. ESPN and ABC will televise Super Bowl LXI (2026-27 season) and Super Bowl LXV (2030-31 season).

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will provide 10 alternate telecasts for the next three NFL seasons, part of ESPN and Omaha Productions’ enhanced agreement that was announced earlier this year.

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ESPN’s “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday” Debut Registers Viewership

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday” Debut Registers Viewership of 20.3 Million for Cowboys-Eagles and 19.1 Million for Chiefs-Broncos, ESPN’s Most-Watched NFL Regular Season Games in More than a Decade
The Cowboys and Eagles generated an audience of 20.3 million viewers on ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, while the Chiefs-Broncos delivered 19.1 million viewers across the same networks.
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday” Debut Registers Viewership of 20.3 Million for Cowboys-Eagles and 19.1 Million for Chiefs-Broncos, ESPN’s Most-Watched NFL Regular Season Games in More than a Decade

· Monday Night Football Finishes 2021 Regular Season with Franchise’s Best Viewership in 11 Seasons, Averaging 14 Million Viewers; Up 16% over 2020 and 13% from 2019

· Cowboys-Eagles: Most-Watched MNF Game Since 2009; Third Best in ESPN Era

· Chiefs-Broncos: ESPN’s Fifth Best Most-Watched MNF Game

· MNF Finishes Regular Season Averaging 14.2 Million Viewers Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Shattered ESPN’s Alternate Telecast Viewership Records

· Cardinals- Rams Set for Inaugural Monday Night Wild Card as Part of Super Wild Card Weekend

ESPN’s first NFL Week 18 Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday (January 8) was one for the records, as the Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles (8:15 p.m. ET) and Kansas City Chiefs-Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET) become two of the five most-watched Monday Night Football games in the ESPN era (274 games since 2006). Both are ESPN’s best regular season NFL audiences in more than a decade. Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday elevated MNF regular season viewership to an average of 14,182,000 million viewer a game (19 games), the best regular season viewership for ESPN since 2010 and the third best since 2006.

The Cowboys and Eagles generated an audience of 20.3 million viewers on ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, while the Chiefs-Broncos delivered 19.1 million viewers across the same networks, resulting in a Doubleheader Saturday average of 19.7 million viewers

For the Cowboys-Eagles, with an ESPN and ABC only audience of 20,200,000 viewers, the NFC East showdown becomes MNF’s most-watched regular season game in 12 years (2009 season) and the third most-watched MNF game in the ESPN era. For the Chiefs-Broncos, with 19,098,000 viewers on ESPN and ABC, the AFC West matchup is the most-watched all-AFC matchup in ESPN’s MNF era and the fifth most-watched game in ESPN’s MNF era, including the aforementioned Cowboys-Eagles game.

More Doubleheader Saturday Highlights

· With the exception of the Cowboys-Eagles on the same day, Chiefs-Broncos is the most-watched MNF game since 2010

· Chiefs-Broncos peaked at 24.7 million viewers in the fourth quarter and Cowboys-Chiefs at 23.4 million viewers late in the first half

Monday Night Football Most-Watched Games (ESPN Era)
Rank Game Viewership Date
1 Minnesota at Green Bay 21,839,000 October 5, 2009
2 New England at New Orleans 21,402,000 Nov. 30, 2009
3 Dallas at Philadelphia^ 20,207,000 January 8, 2022
4 New Orleans at Atlanta 19,137,000 Dec. 27, 2010
5 Kansas City at Denver^ 19,098,000 January 8, 2022
6 Washington at Dallas 18,809,000 October 27, 2014
7 Detroit at Dallas 18,611,000 Dec. 26, 2016
8 Philadelphia at Dallas 18,608,000 Sept. 15, 2008
^on ESPN and ABC

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams in Monday Night Wild Card

ESPN will air the Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (Monday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m.) in the debut of Monday night Wild Card and concluding Super Wild Card Weekend. The showdown between the NFC’s top Wild Card seed and the NFC West Champions will have a MegaCast production, with traditional telecast available on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli on ESPN2 and ESPN+ and Between the Lines on ESPN+. More on ESPN’s coverage of the game will be announced this week.

Monday Night Football Caps Steller Regular Season

In addition to delivering the Monday Night Football’s best regular season since 2010, the franchise was up 16% from 2020 (17 games) and 13% from 2019 (17 games). Of the NFL media rights holders who carried an exclusive game each week of the season, ESPN’s percentage increases this season over 2020 and 2019, were the highest. The franchise, compared to the 2020 season, was up in every key demo, including Persons 18-49 (10%), Persons 25-54 (12%), and Females (19%)

Prior to Doubleheader Saturday, Monday Night Football had already established its best viewership in nearly a decade based on its traditional weekday schedule, which was previously documented.

Note: For 2021 season, season average includes viewership on ESPN for every game, ABC (five games), and ESPN2, (10 games). Previous seasons comparisons include ABC/ESPN2 when applicable Monday Night Football 2021 Season Highlights:

· For the first time in a single season, ESPN’s MNF slate featured five games with more than 16 million viewers; Those same five games represent five of the nine most-watched games since the 2014 season
· Week 1: Ravens-Raiders
· Week 14: Rams-Cardinals
· Week 15: Vikings-Bears
· Week 18: Chiefs-Broncos
· Week 18: Cowboys-Eagles

· Ravens-Raiders was the most-watched Week 1 MNF game in the ESPN era

· Peyton and Eli Raise the Bar for Alternate Telecast Viewership

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli rewrote ESPN’s record books when it comes to alternate telecasts, as the critically-acclaimed show now holds ESPN’s record for the eight most-watched alternate telecasts (More than 60+ since 2014). The show’s regular season high came with 1.96 million viewers (New York Giants at Kansas City, Week 8) and also hit 1.9 million on two other occasions (Philadelphia at Dallas, Week 3 and Detroit at Green Bay, Week 2). Overall, the nine episodes averaged 1.6 million viewers.

ESPN’s Most-Watched Alternate Telecasts (2014-Present)
Rank Alternate Telecast Matchup Date Viewership
1. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Giants-Chiefs November 1, 2021 (Week 8) 1.96 million viewers
2. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Eagles-Cowboys September 27, 2021 (Week 3) 1.89 million viewers
3. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Lions-Packers September 20, 2021 (Week 2) 1.86 million viewers
4. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Patriots-Bills December 6, 2021 (Week 13) 1.63 million viewers
5. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Saints-Seahawks October 25, 2021 (Week 7) 1.61 million viewers
6. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Giants-Buccaneers November 22, 2021 (Week 11) 1.58 million viewers
7. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Rams-49ers November 15, 2021 (Week 10) 1.55 million viewers
8. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Browns-Steelers January 3, 2022 (Week 17) 1.48 million viewers

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Individual Game Highlights:

Week Matchup ESPN Audience + ABC/ESPN2 when applicable Superlative(s)

Week 1 Ravens-Raiders 16,974,000 viewers

· Most-watched MNF game since 2016 (68 games)

· Most-watched MNF Week 1 game in the ESPN era (2006-present)

Week 2 Lions-Packers 13,762,000 viewers

· Second-most-watched MNF Week 2 game since 2014

Week 3 Eagles-Cowboys 14,948,000 viewers

· Most-watched MNF Week 3 presentation since 2012

Week 7 Saints-Seahawks 12,899,000 viewers

· Most-watched MNF Week 7 game since 2014

Week 8 Giants-Chiefs 14,034,000 viewers

· MNF’s best Week 8 audience since 2014

Week 9 Bears-Steelers 12,197,000 viewers

· Second-best MNF Week 9 audience since 2014

Week 10 49ers-Rams 12,354,000 viewers

· Second-best MNF Week 10 audience since 2012

Week 13 Patriots-Bills 15,081,000 viewers

· MNF’s top Week 13 audience since 2013

Week 14 Rams-Cardinals 16,070,000 viewers

· MNF’s second-best audience in 28 games, dating back to Week 2 of the 2020 season (New Orleans at Las Vegas)

Week 15 Vikings-Bears 16,075,000 viewers

· MNF’s highest Week 15 audience since 2011

Week 17 Browns-Steelers 13,256,000 viewers

· MNF’s first Week 17 game on ESPN

Week 18* Chiefs-Broncos 19,098,000 viewers

· Most-watched all-AFC matchup in ESPN’s MNF era and the fifth most-watched game in ESPN’s MNF era

Week 18* Cowboys-Eagles 20,207,000 viewers

· MNF’s most-watched regular season game in 12 years (2009 season) and the third most-watched MNF game in the ESPN era

*Saturday game

Viewership reported by Nielsen for ESPN includes streaming audience across some ESPN, NFL and Yahoo Sports properties; audience figures for ESPN+ are not included in the audience reporting; ESPN Deportes viewership is not included in any comparisons.

Viewership figures may be updated from initial release, reflecting revised Nielsen reporting.

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ESPN’s 2021 “Monday Night Football” Traditional Schedule Delivers Franchise’s Best Viewership

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s 2021 “Monday Night Football” Traditional Schedule Delivers Franchise’s Best Viewership Since 2013
ESPN’s traditional 17-game “MNF” package averaged 13.5 million viewers a game, up 11% from 2020 and 7% from 2019.
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN’s 2021 “Monday Night Football” Traditional Schedule Delivers Franchise’s Best Viewership Since 2013; Inaugural “MNF: Saturday Doubleheader” Begins NFL’s Week 18 Season Finale

· Monday Night Football Averaged 13.5 Million Viewers/Game, Up 11% from 2020 and 7% from 2019

· Week 1 was Most-Watched MNF Game Since 2016; Multi-Year Highs Set Throughout the Season

· Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Shattered ESPN’s Alternate Telecast Viewership Records

· Week 18: Kansas City at Denver & Dallas at Philadelphia on Saturday, January 8

ESPN’s 2021 Monday Night Football schedule scored a touchdown with viewers, earning the historic television franchise’s best season-long viewership since 2013. ESPN’s traditional 17-game MNF package averaged 13.5 million viewers a game, up 11% from 2020 and 7% from 2019. The two yearly percentage increases are the best among any NFL media rights holder in both years. Narrowing in, MNF was up in nearly every demo compared to the 2020 season including Persons 25-34 (4%), Persons 18-49 (7%), Persons 25-54 (9%) and Females (11%).

For the first time, ESPN’s regular season schedule will extend to the NFL’s Season Finale, as Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday premieres on Saturday, Jan. 8, with the Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET) and Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (8:15 p.m.), with both games available on ESPN, ABC and ESPN+.

Then, ESPN and ABC – with MegaCast offerings on ESPN2 and ESPN+ – will air the first Monday night NFL Super Wild Card game on January 17 (8 p.m.).

The 2021 Monday Night Football Slate Delivered Most-Watched Games in Multiple Seasons

The 2021 Monday Night Football campaign began with the franchise’s largest opening week audience on ESPN, when the Ravens-Raiders matchup delivered 17 million viewers. That significant audience was MNF’s best in 68 games, dating back to the 2016 season. Additionally, adding in the Rams-Cardinals and Vikings-Bears matchups, which each generated more than 15.84 million viewers, this season’s MNF slate delivered three of the four most-watched MNF games in the franchise’s last 40 matchups.

On a week-to-week basis, Monday Night Football set multiple multi-year superlatives, including the best Week 3 viewership since 2012, highest Week 7 audience since 2014, top Week 13 viewership since 2013 and best Week 15 viewership since 2011. A complete breakdown is provided below.

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Week 17 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers (Jan. 3, 8 p.m.) delivered an audience of 13.3 million viewers (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).

Peyton and Eli Raise the Bar for Alternate Telecast Viewership

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli rewrote ESPN’s record books when it comes to alternate telecasts, as the critically-acclaimed show now holds ESPN’s record for the eight most-watched alternate telecasts (More than 60+ since 2014). The show’s regular season high came with 1.96 million viewers (New York Giants at Kansas City, Week 8) and also hit 1.9 million on two other occasions (Philadelphia at Dallas, Week 3 and Detroit at Green Bay, Week 2). Overall, the nine episodes averaged 1.6 million viewers.

ESPN’s Most-Watched Alternate Telecasts (2014-Present)

Rank Alternate Telecast Matchup Date Viewership

1. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Giants-Chiefs November 1, 2021 (Week 8) 1.96 million viewers

2. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Eagles-Cowboys September 27, 2021 (Week 3) 1.89 million viewers

3. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Lions-Packers September 20, 2021 (Week 2) 1.86 million viewers

4. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Patriots-Bills December 6, 2021 (Week 13) 1.63 million viewers

5. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Saints-Seahawks October 25, 2021 (Week 7) 1.61 million viewers

6. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Giants-Buccaneers November 22, 2021 (Week 11) 1.58 million viewers

7. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Rams-49ers November 15, 2021 (Week 10) 1.55 million viewers

8. Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Browns-Steelers January 3, 2022 (Week 17) 1.48 million viewers

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Individual Game Highlights:

Week Matchup Audience Superlative(s)

Week 1 Ravens-Raiders 16,974,000 viewers

· Most-watched MNF game since 2016 (68 games)

· Most-watched MNF Week 1 game in the ESPN era (2006-present)

Week 2 Lions-Packers 13,808,000 viewers

· Second-most-watched MNF Week 2 game since 2014

Week 3 Eagles-Cowboys 14,904,000 viewers

· Most-watched MNF Week 3 presentation since 2012

Week 7 Saints-Seahawks 12,866,000 viewers

· Most-watched MNF Week 7 game since 2014

Week 8 Giants-Chiefs 13,990,000 viewers

· MNF’s best Week 8 audience since 2014

Week 9 Bears-Steelers 12,103,000 viewers

· Second-best MNF Week 9 audience since 2014

Week 10 49ers-Rams 12,325,000 viewers

· Second-best MNF Week 10 audience since 2012

Week 13 Patriots-Bills 14,909,000 viewers

· MNF’s top Week 13 audience since 2013

Week 14 Rams-Cardinals 15,895,000 viewers

· MNF second-best audience in 27 games, dating back to Week 3 of the 2020 season (Kansas City at Baltimore)

Week 15 Vikings-Bears 15,841,000 viewers

· MNF’s highest Week 15 audience since 2011

Week 17 Browns-Steelers 13,256,000 viewers

· MNF’s first Week 17 game on ESPN

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ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Delivers 15.9 Million Viewers for Second Consecutive Week

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Delivers 15.9 Million Viewers for Second Consecutive Week
Through the entire season, “Monday Night Football” is now averaging 13.5 million viewers, up 12% from 2020 and up 8% from 2019.
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Delivers 15.9 Million Viewers for Second Consecutive Week

· Vikings-Bears: Most-Watched MNF Week 15 Game in a Decade

· December to Remember: MNF Weeks 13, 14, and 15 Have Generated Three of MNF’s Four Most-Watched Games This Season

· Season-to-Date: MNF Up 12% from 2020 and 8% from 2019 Seasons

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Week 15 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears (Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET) registered more than 15.9 million viewers (ESPN, ABC and ESPN Deportes), the second consecutive week MNF has generated an audience approaching 16 million. The 15,841,000 viewers on ESPN and ABC is MNF’s highest Week 15 audience since 2011, including up 20% from 2020 (Pittsburgh at Cincinnati) and 39% from 2019 (Indianapolis at New Orleans). For the season, Monday Night Football has been up in 12 of 15 weeks.

Monday Night Football has achieved three of its four best audiences in December, beginning with 14.9 million in Week 13 (New England at Buffalo) and then continuing with 15.9 million in Weeks 14 (Los Angeles at Arizona) and 15. The 17 million viewers for the season-opening overtime thriller (Baltimore at Las Vegas), airing on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2, remains the highest audience of the season.

Through the entire season, Monday Night Football is now averaging 13.5 million viewers, up 12% from 2020 and up 8% from 2019.

Viewership reported by Nielsen for ESPN includes streaming audience across some ESPN, NFL and Yahoo Sports properties; audience figures for ESPN+ are not included in the audience reporting.

Please note: ESPN Deportes is not included in season-to-date averages

Additional Vikings-Bears Superlatives:

· Monday Night Football was the most-watched telecast and ESPN was the most-viewed network (broadcast and cable) of the night among key demos: Men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as persons 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 on ESPN.

· Monday Night Football was the most-viewed telecast and ABC was the most-watched network (broadcast and cable) of the night among households, viewers, M55+ and P55+

Monday Night Football continues with the streaking Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints (Dec. 27, 8 p.m.), as both teams enter Week 16 with identical 7-7 records and firmly in the AFC and NFC Playoff races, respectively. The Dolphins have won six in row, while the Saints have won back-to-back games. Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick and Lisa Salters will be at the Caesars Superdome for the call.

This week’s NFL Turning Point, which premieres each Wednesday and breaks down pivotal moments from NFL Sundays that define the outcome of each game, features:

· Indianapolis Colts win over New England Patriots: A look at Jonathan Taylor’s final touchdown

· Green Bay Packers win over Baltimore Ravens: Focuses on Huntley and the decision to go for two

· Miami Dolphins win over New York Jets: With Tua Tagovailoa mic’d up, the show also features Devante Parker’s one-handed touchdown

In addition to NFL Turning Point, ESPN+ also offers weekly episodes of NFL PrimeTime, NFL Matchup, and The Fantasy Show.

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ESPN’s Presentation of Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday in Week 18

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s Presentation of Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday in Week 18 Set To Debut; Simulcast on ABC and ESPN+

Both Matchups Will Have Playoff Implications, Announced After Week 17

“MNF: Doubleheader Saturday” Broadcasters:

“Monday Night Football”’s Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry

ESPN’s Most-Veteran Football Tandem and College Football Lead Commentators Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, along with “NFL Live” Host Laura Rutledge

ABC and ESPN+ Simulcast Five NFL Games, Including NFL Super Wild Card, in Six Weeks

ESPN will premiere “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday” on Jan. 8 (4:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. ET), a conclusion to the network’s coverage of the biggest season ever and a launch into its new Monday night NFL Super Wild Card presentation on Jan. 17 (8:15 p.m.). ABC and ESPN+ will simulcast ESPN’s offerings of both the “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday” and the Super Wild Card matchup with ESPN Deportes airing the Spanish-language telecast of all three games. In addition to ESPN+, the games will also be streamed across ESPN, ABC and NFL digital properties, and on mobile via participating club properties and Yahoo Sports.

ESPN’s new Week 18 doubleheader — part of the NFL Season Finale — is a vital component of the new landmark media rights agreement between Disney/ESPN and the NFL, announced in March. The Monday night NFL Super Wild Card rights were acquired through a separate deal announced in October.

The matchups for “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday” will be announced by the NFL after Week 17. Both games will have playoff implications (e.g., involving teams playing to stay alive for a Wild Card berth, Division title, conference seeding, first-round bye, etc.).

ESPN will have two broadcast booths for “Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday.” The voices of “Monday Night Football” – Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry – will call one game as the group concludes their second regular season and prepares to call ESPN’s NFL Super Wild Card game. ESPN’s most-seasoned football broadcast booth and top college football tandem – Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit – will also call a game, as the pair works their second NFL game in as many years (Pittsburgh at New York Giants – September 2020). Laura Rutledge will join the broadcast duo as the reporter, the “NFL Live” host’s third NFL game assignment. Fowler and Herbstreit, who have announced games as a pair since 2014 and worked together for more than 25 years, will also call the College Football Playoff National Championship (Monday, Jan. 10).

ESPN will lead into Saturday’s Week 18 action with a special edition of “NFL Countdown” on ESPN and ABC, beginning at 3 p.m.

ABC and ESPN+ to Simulcast “Monday Night Football”’s Main Presentation in Week 15.

ABC and ESPN+’s simulcast of both the Week 18 doubleheader and NFL Super Wild Card game will conclude a stretch of five NFL games available on both networks in a six-week span. Last night’s “Monday Night Football” Week 14 showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals (Dec. 13) and next week’s Week 15 matchup featuring the Minnesota Vikings at the Chicago Bears (Dec. 20) was and is available on both networks. ESPN Deportes provides the Spanish-language telecast to every “Monday Night Football” matchup.

More on ESPN’s Super NFL Wild Card MegaCast, which includes Peyton and Eli, will be announced.



ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Giants-Buccaneers Matchup Delivers 12 Million Viewers

Posted on by Danielle Langer





ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Giants-Buccaneers Matchup Delivers 12 Million Viewers
Plus: “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli” on ESPN2 delivered an audience of 1,575,000 up from the brothers’ Week 10 audience (1,554,000 viewers).
[via press release from ESPN]
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Giants-Buccaneers Matchup Delivers 12 Million Viewers

· Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Registers 1.6 Million Viewers and Increases Audience from Week 10

· Season-to-Date: Monday Night Football Audience Remains Up 13% from 2020 and Up 6% from 2019

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Week 11 presentation featuring the New York Giants at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (November 22, 8:15 p.m. ET) delivered an audience of 12 million viewers (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes). The viewership peaked in the first half (9:15 – 9:30 p.m.), shortly after the Buccaneers established a 17-10 advantage en route to a convincing 30-10 victory.

Despite matching the second-largest margin of victory this season on MNF, the audience resulted in ESPN being the most-watched network (broadcast or cable) in primetime and Monday Night Football (on ESPN) earning top status in the most-watched telecast list among household, viewers and all key demos on Monday night.

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli on ESPN2 delivered an audience of 1,575,000 up from the brothers’ Week 10 audience (1,554,000 viewers). Now, the viewership for the six most-recent episodes have delivered ESPN’s highest alternate telecasts among all sports. Note: Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli was also available on ESPN+ in Week 11; however, viewership on that platform is not accounted for in this release.

Monday Night Football Season-to-Date Averaging 13.3 Million Viewers

For the season, Monday Night Football’s average viewership is 13.3 million viewers, up 13% from 2020 and 6% from 2019. Additionally, Monday Night Football has seen its year-over-year audience increase in nine of 11 weeks this season. Note: ESPN Deportes is not included in the season-to-date averages.

Viewership reported by Nielsen for ESPN and ESPN2 includes streaming audience across ESPN, NFL and Yahoo Sports properties.

Monday Night Football Continues with Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks Traveling to Washington Football Team

Monday Night Football continues in Week 12 with the Seattle Seahawks at the Washington Football Team (November 29, 8:15 p.m.), as Russell Wilson makes his first appearance on MNF this season. The WFT has won back-to-back games and are now in the hunt for an NFC Wild Card spot. Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry will be at FedExField for the call of the game.

NFL Turning Point on ESPN+

This week’s NFL Turning Point, which streams each Wednesday and breaks down pivotal moments from NFL Sundays that define the outcome of each game, features:

· Green Bay Packers win over Minnesota Vikings: Looks at Darnell Savage’s dropped interception and Adam Thielen’s 26-yard catch.

· Pittsburgh Steelers win over Los Angeles Chargers: Steelers score 27 in a fourth-quarter filled with Turning Points, including Justin Herbert’s 53-yard touchdown to a wide-open Mike Williams.

· Washington Football Team win over Carolina Panthers: Ron Rivera and Taylor Heinicke win their homecoming game over Cam Newton and a mic’d up Shaq Thompson. Look back at lifelong Green Bay fan Heinicke doing his best Brett Favre impression on a 4th down gamble by Riverboat Ron.

In addition to NFL Turning Point, ESPN+ also offers weekly episodes of NFL PrimeTime, NFL Matchup and The Fantasy Show.

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