ESPN is set to broadcast the Super Bowl for the first time this year.
The Worldwide Leader in Sports has been covering the National Football League for decades. However, for the first time this February, ESPN will be broadcasting the big game. And they’re going all-out for it.
“I never thought I’d have the opportunity to work on an ESPN Super Bowl, and I know so many of my colleagues who have been here as long as I have or even longer would say the same thing,” said Andy Tennant, ESPN’s vice president of Super Bowl planning. “We’re the first 24/7 sports network to ever be a rights holder to broadcast the Super Bowl. We see that not only as an opportunity, but we see it as a responsibility.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro added: “This fan-focused initiative unites our company’s beloved brands with industry-leading storytelling and technology to showcase football’s greatest stories, heroes, and moments like never before. Across our platforms, screens, and parks, we’ll build momentum throughout the year toward Super Bowl 61 — a monumental event for sports fans everywhere and for ESPN.”
There will be around-the-clock coverage on ESPN leading into the big game. And, even during Super Bowl 61, there will reportedly be several viewing options:
- Field Pass with The Pat McAfee show (ESPNU)
- Playbook with Next Gen Stats (NFLN)
- ManningCast (ESPN2)
- Star-Wars alt-cast (Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney+)
- Main broadcast on ESPN and ABC
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Some of ABC’s affiliate channels, though, are reportedly “not happy” with Disney’s diverse plans for coverage across channels.
ABC affiliates have problem with ESPN’s alt-cast plans
Alex Sherman reported: “Big story in the world of media and sports: ABC affiliates are not happy with Disney’s extreme multi platform plan to showcase and monetize the Super Bowl.”
ABC hasn’t had the Super Bowl since 2006 and affiliates (local ABC stations) are reportedly frustrated that there will be so many ESPN alt-casts, drawing eyeballs away from the main broadcast.
“ABC station owners are irritated with Disney’s recent decision to air the Super Bowl on many different platforms, including Disney+, ESPN2, NFL Network and ESPNU. The game is already airing on both ABC and ESPN. The aggregate of the different platforms may drop advertising revenue associated with broadcast viewership by up to 35% compared to last year, according to a station group CEO who asked not to be named because the data is private,” he reported.
Ultimately, though, ESPN and Disney appear to be sticking with the plan, whether or not it frustrates the affiliates.
