NFL Announces New Thursday Night Football Deal With CBS

The NFL announced a new Thursday Night Football package with CBS that will air eight early season games that will also be simulcast on NFL Network.

• Ian Rapoport first reported that the NFL was set to make an announcement regarding a new Thursday Night Football package.

Here are some details regarding the new Thursday Night package:

• CBS will produce 16 regular-season games that will include Jim Nantz and Phil Simms calling the Thursday Night games.
• The package offers 14 Thursday games to go along with two Saturday games.
• The NFL Network will televise eight late-season games.
• NFL Network  analysts will still be featured in the pregame, halftime and postgame shows along with CBS Sports announcers.
• The agreement is for the 2014 season, but includes an option for 2015 as well.

“NFL Network built Thursday into a night for NFL fans,” said Commissioner Goodell. “Our goal is to bring these games to more fans on broadcast television with unprecedented promotion and visibility for Thursday Night Football on CBS.”

“We are very pleased to build on our outstanding partnership with the NFL by expanding our coverage to Thursday nights,” said president and CEO of CBS Corp Leslie Moonves. “CBS is a premium content company and the NFL represents the best premium content there is. I look forward to all this new deal will do for us not only on Thursday nights, but across our entire schedule.”

“The NFL is the most powerful programming in television,” said Chairman, CBS Sports Sean McManus. “To add a primetime NFL package to our successful Sunday AFC package further strengthens our position in the sports marketplace.  We look forward to having Jim and Phil and our top production team showcased in prime time on Thursday nights.”

What are your thoughts on the new Thursday Night football package?

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