The NFL is trying to make Super Bowl week’s annual Media Day its next successful made-for-TV event by moving the event from Tuesday to Monday in prime time.
Seeing ratings success with its draft and combine, the league believes it can model Media Day after the Olympics’ opening ceremony, said Mike Muriano, NFL Network’s senior coordinating producer. It has dubbed the event “Super Bowl Opening Night,” complete with a made-for-TV feel that includes player introductions and a “halftime” concert.
“This is the first stab at trying to bring more glitz to it,” Muriano said. “We hope that we will have more of an audience for it.”
ESPN2 and NFL Network will provide live coverage of the event. CBS will provide live updates to its broadcast network. And even a network like Nickelodeon will provide some coverage.
“From a TV experience, the good thing about it is that there’s more of a chance for people to see it in prime time than on a late Tuesday morning,” said Seth Markman, ESPN’s senior coordinating producer.
ESPN will have Hannah Storm, Steve Levy, Steve Young and Tedy Bruschi on a set with Ed Werder and Sal Paolantonio covering the teams.
NFL Network will be hosted by Rich Eisen. Former players Deion Sanders, Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Nate Burleson will roam the field with microphones in hand for interviews and commentary.
