Monday Night Lights Out? Report Says “MNF” Likely Moving

Report Doubts That "MNF" Will Remain w/ ABC

Analyst firm Fulcrum Global Partners in a report this week called negotiations over NFL broadcast rights the “biggest issue facing the TV industry,” according to Paul Gough of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The report stated that it “appears likely that News Corp. [Fox] and CBS will want to retain their rights in the new multi-year agreement.” ESPN “seems to be in a ‘must-have situation ... and will pay accordingly.’” Fulcrum suggested “MNF” “might be in play for the first time in the new contract after 35 years on ABC.” The report stated: “We increasingly doubt that ABC will seek to continue MNF unless rights fees decrease (which is highly unlikely), especially if non-sports programming continues to rebound.” Fulcrum noted that NBC, following its acquisition of Universal, “has more cable holdings and speculated that NBC could telecast [‘MNF’] at the same time USA Network had the Sunday night game.” The report states Comcast, FX and TNT, which previously aired the NFL on Sunday nights, also are possible bidders (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 10/7).