Monday December 4, 2023

Thursday Night Plight

Rams Patriots
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Fox would pick its Sunday afternoon NFL package over “Thursday Night Football” if the cost of carrying both became too high.

“The heritage of the company was built on Sunday afternoon football,” Fox CFO Steve Tomsic said about a potential cutback.

All of the NFL’s broadcast rights agreements are nearing expiration.

  • The ESPN deal ends after the 2021 season
  • Fox, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS contracts last through 2022

Fox pays $660 million for Thursday night rights and $1.08 billion for its NFL Sunday package.

ESPN currently pays the most of any rights holder, shelling out $1.9 billion for “Monday Night Football,” up from $1.1 billion in its prior deal.

Current projections suggest that NFL broadcast rights could rise by 50% to 80% in the next round of negotiations.

Fox is widely believed to have overpaid for the Thursday night package, which shares its viewership with Amazon Prime and Twitch. The network has aired the NFL since 1994.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

TV Networks Are Programming College Football’s Future: What’s Next

Conference championship weekends will have a different feel in the future.

Commanders Spend Big On Current Home While Planning New Stadium

The Washington Commanders will keep upgrading FedEx Field.
LeBron-James

Would Disney's ESPN Walk Away From The NBA?

Will financial pressures impact the company's decision with a longtime partner?
Detailed view of the new In-Season Tournament court before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center.

New Orleans Pelicans Reportedly Headed For Local Television

The Pelicans could air games on over-the-air channel Fox 8.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Selection Turns Heads with Controversial Selection

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers
patrick_mahomes

Super Bowl TV Viewership Sinks 8%

CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
person_playing_cricket
December 23, 2020

Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.

More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
man_riding_stationary_bike
December 28, 2020

Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment

The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
woman_holding_hockey_stick
December 23, 2020

NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports

It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
December 23, 2020

‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension

Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
December 22, 2020

Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’

"It's sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
December 22, 2020

Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand

Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.