This marks the eighth year of ESPN-branded MegaCasts, and when Ravens-Titans kicks off Sunday during the net’s first NFL Wild Card MegaCast, the overarching theme will remain: trying different things with the hope of reaching different audiences. On the latest episode of "SBJ Unpacks: The Road Ahead," ESPN Senior VP/Production Lee Fitting joined our Andrew Levin to discuss his expectations for the MegaCast, including engaging with younger audiences via Freeform’s “Watch Party.”
On how much of a priority it is for ESPN to identify and engage with the next generation of sports fans:
Fitting: That’s what we’re all after here is to sink a hook into the mouth of the next generation, those who are going to be watching for years. ... It’s important to grab them now before they go elsewhere. There are just so many other options out there.
On whether the NFL has a problem in attracting younger fans:
Fitting: The NFL and football is still king. I’m very hesitant and won’t use the word "problem." The NFL is so successful, and millions of people are watching every week. I think it just falls into the category of what we’re all trying to do in this business, and that’s get younger, stay younger, keep people watching longer and make sure we’re giving folks the option that they want to watch a game.
On Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick and Lisa Salters' performance on "MNF" in Year 1:
Fitting: They’ve done a great job. It is a professional, credible, game-first broadcast. ... (To) bring this group together in the year of COVID, I’m not sure people understand how difficult that is, when you can’t have dinner together, and you can’t grab coffee together, and you can’t socialize together.
