• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

ESPN To ‘MegaCast’ Its Wild Card Playoff Coverage in January

  • ESPN will offer viewers 4 different presentations across 5 Disney networks.
  • ABC/ESPN to simulcast production by new ‘Monday Night Football’ announce team.
nfl logo field
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

ESPN plans to “MegaCast” its coverage of an NFL Wild Card playoff game this season, offering viewers at least four different presentations across five Walt Disney Co. networks.

Sister Disney networks ESPN and ABC will simulcast the Wild Card game, currently scheduled to be played on either Jan. 9 or 10.

Both networks will air the telecast featuring ESPN’s “Monday Night Football ” announce team of Steve Levy, Louis Riddick, Brian Griese, Lisa Salters and John Parry.

But ESPN2 and Freeform, a Disney cable network aimed at teens and young adults, will also offer their own distinct telecasts.

ESPN Deportes will have its own Spanish language production of the game.

ESPN says the Wild Card production will be the first time the multi-channel MegaCast coverage concept has been utilized during the NFL postseason. 

 The NFL’s TV partners — ESPN, CBS Sports, Fox Sports and NBC Sports — are currently competing to forge new TV rights deals with the league after the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Under its current deal for MNF, ESPN gets a Wild Card playoff telecast — but is shut out of the lucrative Super Bowl TV rotation. In this upcoming rights cycle, Disney is pushing hard for ABC to land its first live game package in 15 years. 

The entertainment giant wants two NFL game packages: one for the ABC broadcast network and the other for its ESPN cable network.

MegaCasting has been used several times already this year as a way to get TV viewers used to watching live NFL coverage on ABC again.

Back in April, Disney MegaCast the 2020 NFL Draft, with ABC and ESPN offering their own distinct versions. Kirk Herbstreit of “College GameDay” led a more college football-oriented version while ESPN offered its traditional coverage. 

During Week 2 of the NFL season, Disney simulcast the Las Vegas Raiders’ first home game at the new Allegiant Stadium on both ABC and ESPN. 

This December, the sister networks will simulcast two more MNF games, both involving the Buffalo Bills. ABC and ESPN will simulcast Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 7 and Bills vs. New England Patriots on Dec. 28. 

Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s executive vice president of media, has said he’s open to MegaCasting NFL games. 

ESPN has previously simulcasted its coverage of the College Football Playoff National Championship game across several channels.

The NFL would like ABC, the original home of MNF from 1970 to 2005, to return to live games, said sources. The network’s return would give NFL games a clean sweep of all four broadcast channels:  ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox.

With these broadcasters reaching more than 100 million U.S. homes, they’re more immune to cord-cutting than cable channels such as ESPN. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hymie Elhai

Jets Say Execs Tried to Sink Team President in Bumbling Conspiracy

The team says thousands of deleted text messages show the plot.

NFL and College Football TV Ratings Continue to Surge, Especially for CBS

The network’s singleheader coverage Sunday drew huge viewership.
Jonathan Gannon

Cardinals Fine Coach Jonathan Gannon $100K for Striking Player

Demercado made a costly mistake in the Cardinals’ loss to the Titans. 

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez Charged With New Felony in Indianapolis Case

The broadcaster and ex-NFL quarterback faces up to six years in prison.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.