The NFL taking its “TNF” package to Fox in a five-year deal is part of the maturation of the franchise, according to Patriots Owner and Broadcast Committee Chair Robert Kraft. He said during a conference call this morning, “Our experimentation over the last few years changed to the point where we thought making a long-term commitment was in the best interest of our product and our ownership group.” The deal gives Fox three of the five NFL game windows, with Thursday joining both Sunday afternoon time slots. 21st Century Fox President Peter Rice said the network was not scared off from a deal which sources say will cost $550M per year. Rice, hearkening back to Fox’ first deal with the NFL that took effect with the ’94 season, said the net always heard it overpaid for rights in every deal it struck with the league since, but Fox always came away bigger and stronger because of the partnership. Rice said, “These opportunities come along very, very infrequently. You either have the rights to the most-watched content in media or you don’t. If you lose that auction, if you don’t take the opportunity to expand the partnership, this won’t come up again for another five years.” CBS, which had broadcast “TNF” since it was expanded to broadcast in ’14, in a statement said that it “explored a responsible bid” to keep the franchise. The net said, “We look forward to continuing our terrific long-term partnership with the NFL on Sunday afternoons, with more than 100 games per season including next year’s Super Bowl LIII” (Joe Perez, Assistant Editor).
BIG BOOST TO FOX: VARIETY’s Brian Steinberg reports the deal will “lend some heft” to Fox’ broadcast network, as it “separates from a significant passel of media assets its parent is selling” to Disney. Rice said, “NFL football continues to be the most valuable commodity in all of media.” The large audience live sports brings “will be even more important for Fox after the completion” of the Disney deal. Games will be “simulcast on the NFL Network and in Spanish on Fox Deportes.” Fox will “produce 18 games in total, seven of which will be broadcast solely" on NFL Network. Fox’ deal could “augur some tough ratings comparisons for both CBS and NBC next season.” Both are “likely to rely more heavily on some of its top scripted programs on Thursday nights, which include ‘Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Young Sheldon’ on CBS and the powerhouse ‘This Is Us’ on NBC" (VARIETY.com, 1/31). Fox aired “Gotham” and “The Orville” on Thursday nights this past fall, “drawing ratings that paled in comparison with those put up by the pro football games broadcast by CBS and NBC.” Meanwhile, Fox adding "TNF" comes despite Fox CEO James Murdoch expressing his "concern about the oversaturation of televised football in October” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/31).
BATTLE ROYALE FOR DIGITAL: A digital partner has not yet been announced, but both sides will be working toward finalizing that over the coming weeks. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL received "unprecedented competition" for digital rights and is not required have digital and broadcast deals to run parallel. He said, “One of the things we’ve taken into perspective with Thursday night in general is to evolve this package, to use it as an opportunity to learn and understand where these various platforms are going, what we can do to make it a more attractive experience for our fans” (Perez).
