Three-year-deal sees Channel 5 broadcast the iconic Monday Night Football show as well as additional NFL programming.
Channel 5’s owner ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has agreed a partnership deal with the National Football League (NFL) that will see Channel 5 air Monday Night Football – described as “one of America’s most iconic sports series” – as well as a new Sunday morning magazine show, NFL End Zone.
The three year deal brings Monday Night Football back to free-to-air TV in the UK, and also introduces new NFL-related content to linear and digital, including across MTV International’s digital platforms in the UK.
Monday Night Football will be broadcast from Channel 5’s studio in Los Angeles, and be presented by Kirsten Watson and former All-Pro Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, along with special guests.
Meanwhile, NFL End Zone will be presented by American actress and singer, Cory Yarckin, and will “delve deeper into the culture behind America’s greatest sport.” The show will be shot and filmed on location in the US each week and will air at 11.30am each Sunday on Channel 5.
Channel 5 previously aired the NFL (from 1998 to 2009), and the NFL’s return to the channel will begin this weekend (Sunday, 13 September), with Monday Night Football launching the following day. It will air the New York Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers from MetLife Stadium on the opening weekend of the season.
Sameer Pabari, NFL managing director, international media, said: “We are very proud to have agreed a new partnership with ViacomCBS and Channel 5. The range of content available across different time slots and platforms means there is something for everyone – from established fans to those new to the sport.”
Lee Sears, SVP, head of sales and partnerships, VCNI, added: “We’re excited to be using our in-house expertise to create a range of custom content that will appeal to fans of the NFL and non-fans alike. By harnessing the power of our social platforms and tapping into our reach across these platforms, we will help bring the NFL to a whole new audience.”