ESPN plans to "super-size its coverage for the inaugural College Football Playoff national championship" after the "critical and production success" of its BCS Megacast last year, according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. ESPN "will offer multiple viewing options for what it is calling the 'CFP Megacast,' the network’s biggest production to date." This upcoming Megacast "will offer a different production" on every net, including the main telecast on ESPN and other platforms on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN3, ESPN Radio and ESPN Int'l. The coaches' "Film Room" will return, and the net is "still working out which coaches and ESPN talent will be part of the room." Other platforms will include “ESPN Voices,” which will be similar to last year’s "BCS Title Talk" and include a "rotating group of ESPN staffers discussing the game in real time." There also will be a platform "featuring only the natural sounds of the game and coverage of the halftime performances by each [school's] band." ESPN during Thursday's Alabama-Ohio State Allstate Sugar Bowl semifinal "will air an edition of the 'Finebaum Film Room' on the SEC Network during the ESPN broadcast of the game." Another new Megacast option with "great potential: 'Off the Ball' will feature former players and coaches, and current ESPN analysts, focusing on the plays away from the ball, including offensive and defensive line play, wide receiver-defensive back matchups, and coaching strategy." Meanwhile, ESPN reporters Tom Rinaldi (Oregon), Samantha Ponder (Florida State), Kaylee Hartung (Alabama) and Marty Smith (Ohio State) "will be embedded with each of the playoff teams leading up to the games" (SI.com, 12/29).
