Both NFL Network and ESPN have devoted a significant amount of time during their live morning shows today to the Eagles signing QB Tim Tebow. NFL Net's “NFL AM” dedicated the first 18 minutes of the broadcast to Tebow, including Randy Moss reporting live outside Lincoln Financial Field. After a brief break, the net came back to Tebow 26 minutes into the broadcast, focusing on social media trends and sports talk radio clips from Philadelphia. The show spent the last 20 minutes of its first hour discussing how Tebow can succeed with the Eagles (“NFL AM,” NFL Network, 4/20). ESPN's live 9:00am ET edition of “SportsCenter” led with coverage of the NBA Playoffs, but an upcoming Tebow report was teased in the top left corner of the screen. The first report came six minutes into the broadcast with ESPN’s Josina Anderson reporting live from outside Lincoln Financial Field on player reactions to the signing. ESPN’s Louis Riddick appeared on-set to discuss the Eagles’ plan to utilize Tebow among the other four signed Eagles QBs (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 4/20). The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly wrote on his Twitter feed, "I just turned on my TV at 8:20am and I'm already done watching ESPN and NFL Network. I can't take Tim Tebow madness. Never could" (TWITTER.com, 4/20).
CROSSING OVER INTO THE MAINSTREAM: All three network morning shows also touched on the Tebow signing. ABC’s “GMA” aired a brief report on the signing 30 minutes into the show’s broadcast, with co-host George Stephanopoulos saying, “Tim Tebow trying for a big comeback. The star quarterback expected to sign a contract to join the Philadelphia Eagles after more than two years out of the game.” Five minutes later the net aired another report during its Speed Feed segment on social media trends (“GMA,” ABC, 4/20). NBC’s Lester Holt teased the Tebow signing in the opening remarks of NBC’s “Today” show, with a full report coming 31 minutes into the broadcast’s first hour. During the segment, clips aired of “SNL” and “The Tonight Show” parodying Tebow, as well as a social media monitor (“Today,” NBC, 4/20). “CBS This Morning” aired a brief report 31 minutes into the show’s second hour on the signing. Meanwhile, Fox Business’ "Opening Bell With Maria Bartiromo" aired a news brief on the signing two minutes into the show’s broadcast (THE DAILY).
