NFL Network Special
NFL Network Special is the branding used for select broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games aired by NFL Network. The games are, officially, considered to be part of the Thursday Night Football package, but not necessarily played on Thursdays; as of 2017, this arrangement has included at least one NFL London Game played in a Sunday morning (U.S. time) window, and one or more late-season doubleheaders on Saturdays, and occasionally Christmas Day games.
| NFL Network Special | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Saturday Night Football (2006–2008) Thursday Night Special (2008–2016) Thursday Night Football (2008–2016) |
| Genre | NFL football telecasts |
| Presented by | Joe Davis Kurt Warner Adam Amin Mark Schlereth |
| Opening theme | NFL GameDay theme |
| Ending theme | Same as open |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 4 per season |
| Production | |
| Production location | Various NFL stadiums |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 180 minutes or until game ends (inc. adverts) |
| Production companies | National Football League Fox Sports (2018–present) |
| Release | |
| Original network | NFL Network |
| Original release | October 29, 2017 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | NFL on Fox Fox NFL Sunday Fox NFL Kickoff |
| External links | |
| Website | |
After having briefly used Saturday Night Football to brand the games, from 2008 through 2016 the games were branded under the Thursday Night Football title or a variant thereof (such as Thursday Night Special). Since 2014, the majority of these games have been produced by the current Thursday Night Football sub-licensee, such as CBS (2014–2018), NBC (2016–2018), and Fox (2018–2021).
Background
Prior to 2017
NFL Networked debuted Thursday Night Football on November 23, 2006, with the Kansas City Chiefs handing the visiting Denver Broncos a 19–10 Thanksgiving defeat. As part of this package, three games aired on Saturday nights, which were accordingly branded as Saturday Night Football (not to be confused with ESPN/ABC's college football telecasts of the same name, which ESPN holds a trademark in relation to),[1] with the package as a whole being promoted as the Run to the Playoffs. This format carried over to the 2007 season. Saturday games could only occur in the final weeks of the season, as the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, requires blackouts of professional football games—held on Friday evenings or Saturdays from mid-September through mid-December—on television stations within 75 miles (121 km) of the venue of a college or high school football game.[2][3][4][5]
Starting in 2008, NFL Network eliminated all but one of the Saturday night games and started their Thursday night package three weeks earlier. In the following season, all references to Saturday Night Football were dropped, with these games now being referred to as a "special edition" of Thursday Night Football.
Beginning in 2014, the Thursday Night Football package has been sub-licensed to one or more of the NFL's broadcast partners, who produces all games on behalf of NFL Network, and may simulcast selected games in the package on broadcast television.[6][7] These have, by extension, included the non-Thursday games of the package, which were in turn produced by CBS (with some later produced by NBC beginning in 2016).[8] These games are intended to satisfy NFL Network's carriage agreements, which require that a quota of exclusive games be broadcast by the channel each season, while still allowing some of the games to be simulcast on network television as well.[2][4]
In 2014, CBS used the branding Thursday Night Football: Saturday Edition for these games—a branding scheme that was criticized as a misnomer when used for a game aired on a Saturday afternoon.[9][10][11][12] By 2016, the games had begun to carry the on-air branding Thursday Night Special (albeit with some fleeting references to Thursday Night Football or TNF still present on-air),[10] with Christmas Day games assigned to the Thursday Night Football package accordingly using the branding NFL Christmas Special.[13]
2017–present
By the 2017 season, the branding NFL Network Special was adopted for non-Thursday TNF games exclusive to NFL Network, thus removing the tie to a specific date and time entirely, but still carrying similar branding and production arrangements to the Thursday games (albeit with graphics no longer being co-branded with the logos of both the host broadcaster and NFL Network, as is the case for Thursday Night Football since 2014). Beginning in 2018, most NFL Network Special games became Fox productions as part of its new rights to Thursday Night Football. An exception was an NFL London Game on October 10, 2021, which was instead produced by CBS.
Coverage
2017 season
| Week | Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium | Announcers | Game Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Sunday | October 29 | Minnesota Vikings | 33–16 | Cleveland Browns | Twickenham Stadium | Greg Gumbel (play by play) Trent Green (color) |
Game played in London as part of the NFL International Series; Kickoff at 9:30 ET; CBS Sports Production. Simulcast on WCCO in Minnesota and WOIO in Cleveland. |
| 15 | Saturday | December 16 | Chicago Bears | 10–20 | Detroit Lions | Ford Field | Mike Tirico (play by play) Kurt Warner (color) |
Kickoff at 4:30 ET; TNF doubleheader. NBC Sports production; simulcast on WDIV-TV in Detroit and WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Bears-Lions rivalry |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 13–30 | Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | Greg Gumbel (play by play) Trent Green (color) |
Kickoff at 8:25 ET. Simulcast on KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and KCTV in Kansas City. Chargers-Chiefs rivalry | |||
| 16 | December 23 | Indianapolis Colts | 16–23 | Baltimore Ravens | M&T Bank Stadium | Kickoff at 4:30 ET. Game was also simulcast on WJZ-TV in Baltimore and WTTV-TV in Indianapolis. | ||
2018 season
| Week | Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium | Announcers | Game Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Sunday | October 28 | Philadelphia Eagles | 24–18 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Wembley Stadium | Rich Eisen (play by play), Michael Irvin (color) Steve Mariucci (color) Kurt Warner (color). |
Game played in London, as part of the NFL International Series. Kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET. This game was also simulcast on WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and WFOX-TV in Jacksonville. Zach Ertz caught game winning touchdown pass. |
| 15 | Saturday | December 15 | Houston Texans | 29–22 | New York Jets | MetLife Stadium | Curt Menefee (play by play) Nate Burleson (color) Steve Mariucci (color). |
Kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET. Also simulcast on KHOU-TV in Houston, and WNBC-TV in New York. |
| Cleveland Browns | 17–16 | Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | Mike Tirico (play by play) Kurt Warner (color). |
Kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET. Also simulcast on WOIO-TV in Cleveland, and KDVR-TV in Denver. | |||
| 16 | December 22 | Washington Redskins | 16–25 | Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium | Curt Menefee (play by play) Nate Burleson (color) Steve Mariucci (color). |
Kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET. One of the four games eligible to be flexed into the NFL Network Saturday Doubleheader. Simulcast on WRC-TV in Washington, and on WSMV-TV in Tennessee. | |
| Baltimore Ravens | 22–10 | Los Angeles Chargers | StubHub Center | Mike Tirico (play by play) Kurt Warner (color). |
Kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET. One of the four games eligible to be flexed into the NFL Network Saturday Doubleheader. Also simulcast on WBAL-TV in Baltimore, and KABC-TV in Los Angeles. | |||
2019 season
| Week | Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium | Announcers | Game Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sunday | October 13 | Carolina Panthers | 37–26 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Rich Eisen (play by play) Michael Irvin (color) Steve Mariucci (color) Kurt Warner (color). |
Part of the NFL International Series. Game also simulcast on WJZY-TV in Carolina and WMOR-TV in Tampa Bay. 9:30 AM kickoff. Buccaneers-Panthers rivalry. |
| 9 | November 3 | Houston Texans | 26–3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Wembley Stadium | Part of the NFL International Series. Game also simulcast on KRIV-TV in Houston and WJXX-TV in Jacksonville. Kickoff at 9:30 AM. | ||
| 16 | Saturday | December 21 | Houston Texans | 23–20 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium | Rich Eisen (play by play) Nate Burleson (color) Joe Thomas (color). |
1 PM Kickoff. Game was also simulcast on KRIV-TV in Houston and WMOR-TV in Tampa Bay. One of 5 games under consideration for Saturday flex scheduling. |
| Buffalo Bills | 17–24 | New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium | Mike Tirico (play by play) Kurt Warner (color). |
4:25 PM Kickoff. Game was also simulcast on WKBW-TV in Buffalo, and WBZ-TV in New England. One of 5 games under consideration for Saturday flex scheduling. Bills-Patriots rivalry. | |||
| Los Angeles Rams | 31–34 | San Francisco 49ers | Levi's Stadium | Kevin Burkhardt (play by play) Charles Davis (color). |
Game was also simulcast on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, and KNTV-TV in San Francisco. One of 5 games under consideration for Saturday flex scheduling. 49ers-Rams rivalry. | |||
2020 season
| Week | Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium | Announcers | Game Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Saturday | December 19 | Buffalo Bills | 48-19 | Denver Broncos | Empower Field at Mile High | Adam Amin (play by play) Mark Schlereth (color). |
4:30 PM ET kickoff. Game also simulcast on WKBW-TV in Buffalo and KMGH-TV in Denver. |
| Carolina Panthers | 16-24 | Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | Joe Davis (play by play) Kurt Warner (color) |
8:15 PM kickoff. Game also simulcast on WSOC-TV in Carolina and WLUK-TV in Green Bay. | |||
| 16 | Saturday | December 26 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 47-7 | Detroit Lions | Ford Field | Adam Amin (play by play) Mark Schlereth (color). |
1:00 PM ET kickoff. Game also simulcast on WTSP-TV in Tampa Bay, and WDIV-TV in Detroit. |
| Miami Dolphins | 26-25 | Las Vegas Raiders | Allegiant Stadium | Joe Davis (play by play) Kurt Warner (color). |
8:15 PM kickoff. Game also simulcast on WPLG-TV in Miami, and KSNV-TV in Las Vegas. | |||
2021 season
| Week | Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium | Announcers | Game Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Sunday | October 10 | New York Jets | 20-27 | Atlanta Falcons | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Greg Gumbel (play by play) Adam Archuleta (color) |
NFL London Game; Kickoff at 9:30 AM ET Game was produced by CBS Sports, while Fox produced the pregame and halftime shows. Game was also simulcast on WNBC in New York, and WSB in Atlanta. |
| 15 | Saturday | December 18 | Las Vegas Raiders | TBD | Cleveland Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | Joe Davis (play by play) Kurt Warner (color) |
Kickoff at 4:15 ET. Game also simulcast on KSNV in Las Vegas and WOIO in Cleveland. |
| New England Patriots | TBD | Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium | Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play) Greg Olsen (color) |
Kickoff at 8:15 ET. Game also simulcast on WBZ in the New England area and WXIN in Indianapolis | |||
Play by Play
- Greg Gumbel (2017, 2021)
- Mike Tirico (2017-2019)
- Rich Eisen (2018-2019)
- Curt Menefee (2018)
- Kevin Burkhardt (2019, 2021)
- Adam Amin (2020)
- Joe Davis (2020-21)
Color
- Trent Green (2017)
- Kurt Warner (2017-2021)
- Michael Irvin (2018-2019)
- Steve Mariucci (2018-2019)
- Nate Burleson (2018-2019)
- Joe Thomas (2019)
- Charles Davis (2019)
- Mark Schlereth (2020)
- Adam Archuleta (2021)
- Greg Olsen (2021)
References
- Tue, Dec 23rd 2014 4:02am-Timothy Geigner. "How ESPN's Purely Descriptive Trademark Turned A Saturday Into A Thursday". Techdirt. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- Lucia, Joe (2021-03-03). "More Thursday Night Football games will reportedly be Amazon exclusive in new round of TV deals". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- Koerner, Brendan (2004-09-14). "Why you can't show the NFL on Saturday". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- "NBC, CBS will share Thursday Night Football". NBC Sports Washington. 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- "NFL aims to boost network with 'Thursday Night Football' bidding war". New York Post. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
- "CBS to broadcast eight Thursday night football games in 2014". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- "CBS to broadcast NFL games on Thursday in 2014". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- "CBS & NBC To Share 'Thursday Night Football' With NFL Network; League Eyes "Tri-Cast" With Digital Partner". Deadline.com. February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- "Thursday Night Football on Saturday is just so silly". Awful Announcing. 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- "People hated Thursday Night Football on Sunday". Awful Announcing. 2016-12-26. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- Sherman, Rodger (2014-12-20). ""Thursday Night Football: Saturday Edition" ?!?!??". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- "NFL Network airs Thursday Night Football on a Saturday, confuses everyone". For The Win. 2014-12-20. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- "NFL Week 16: TNF Hits Season-High For Christmas Finale". Sports Media Watch. 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2021-11-26.