ESPN has extended its multiplatform media rights production partnership with Peyton and Eli Manning’s Omaha Productions, which includes the network’s Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli simulcast.   

The nine-year deal, which runs through 2034, also includes an extension of Omaha’s sports docuseries Peyton’s Places and Eli’s Places. The agreement, which follows an original three-year agreement in 2021 and an extension announced in 2022, will continue to grow the successful content partnership between ESPN and Omaha, which will include opportunities for other collaborations across multiple platforms, said the network.

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, which won the 2022 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Series, appears opposite Monday Night Football on ESPN2 and blends real-time analysis with commentary from the brothers and former NFL quarterbacks.

Netflix continued its play on the sports documentary field by partnering with the National Football League on a new docuseries that follows such star quarterbacks as Patrick Mahomes throughout last season’s action.

The series, Quarterback, will debut this summer and take a look at the events of last season through the eyes of such NFL quarterbacks as Mahomes of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings and Marcus Mariota of the Atlanta Falcons, Netflix said.

The series follows all three quarterbacks from the beginning of the 2022 season to its conclusion, from team discussions and events on and off the field to looks into their family lives.

Quarterback is the first collaboration between Netflix and the NFL, and extends the streaming service’s reach into the sports-documentary genre. Its other sports documentary series include the auto racing series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, the tennis series Break Point and the golf series Full Swing.  

“We aim to give our members unprecedented access to the biggest athletes in the world, telling stories that you can’t see anywhere else,” Netflix VP of unscripted and documentary series Brandon Riegg said in a statement. “And it doesn’t get any bigger than going inside the huddle with NFL quarterbacks, who hold perhaps the most important and difficult position in sports. We can’t wait to share their stories with our members around the world.” 

Quarterback is produced by NFL Films, Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and Mahomes’ 2PM Productions. 

“I’m excited for fans to get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at an unforgettable season for the entire Chiefs organization and for my family,” Mahomes said. “From welcoming home a new baby in the middle of the season to welcoming the Lombardi trophy back to Kansas City, our crew was there for it all. This new Netflix series will show the time, preparation and balance that it takes to be an NFL quarterback and perform on the biggest stage.”

Added Manning: “Playing quarterback in the NFL is a unique experience that has some pretty incredible ups and downs. Thanks to this collaboration with our partners at NFL Films, 2PM Productions and Netflix, fans will be given a unique and intimate look at what life is like as a starting QB.” ■

ABC and the Country Music Association announced that Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning will be the hosts of The 50th Annual CMA Awards.

The event–billed as Country Music’s Biggest Night–will air live on November 9 on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Bryan is the two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year. Manning is the former NFL star turned Monday Night Football “Manning-cast” announcer and producer of other programming for ESPN Plus.

“Just when we thought we couldn’t top Luke’s explosive energy and signature charm as host of last year’s CMA Awards, we’re bringing him back alongside sports legend Peyton Manning for Country Music’s biggest night,” said Rob Mills, executive VP, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. “Their dynamic chemistry and magnetic friendship are the perfect anchors for this year’s star-studded show.”

“Being a part of such a historical night that honors my peers and Country Music is such a privilege,” said Bryan. “When I was asked if Peyton Manning is someone I would consider co-hosting with, I didn’t hesitate. We have become great friends through the years, and what he brings to the table is gonna make it even more of a blast. I know he’s been to the CMA Awards before, but he’s never been with me. Hey Peyton, I hope you’re ready for the night of your life!”

“I cannot wait to head to Nashville and take the CMA Awards stage alongside my friend Luke Bryan,” added Manning. “I am such a huge fan of country music, so to have the chance to stand among so many incredibly talented artists is an absolute honor.”

The 56th Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Alan Carter is the director, and Jon Macks is the head writer. ■

History Channel has greenlit two new series from NFL great Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, including a show focusing on all-time greats across a number of categories, the network said Wednesday.

The eight-episode, History’s Greatest of All-Time with Peyton Manning countdown show will look at the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) in categories ranging from the greatest General to the greatest inventor or President, according to the network.

Also on the docket is The Einstein Challenge, in which two world-class experts will compete to see who can best explain seriously complicated concepts to a panel of kids, including how an airplane flies or how destructive the Mt. Vesuvius eruption was, the network said. 

“We are thrilled to recruit Peyton to our team at The History Channel,” History executive VP and head of programming Eli Leher said in a statement. “To have one of the greatest in sports history educate us about the most fascinating G.O.A.T’s throughout time, coupled with him producing a smart, witty new show with kids, is unparalleled and we can’t wait to bring these new shows to our audience.”

Manning, whose Omaha Productions also produces ESPN’s Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, added that the History Channel “has long been a leader in original programming that informs and entertains audiences. As a longtime history buff, I couldn’t be more excited for Omaha to team up with great historians and producers to create these two shows that celebrate history and uncover stories in a fun way.” ■  

ESPN and The Walt Disney Co. said they reached an expanded agreement with Peyton Manning and his Omaha Productions.

The new deal adds a fourth 10-game season of Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli, which appeared opposite Monday Night Football on ESPN2.

Omaha Productions will also work with ESPN to produce alternative presentations for UFC, college football and golf. The Mannings will not host those shows.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli and the partnership we’ve developed with Peyton, Eli and the team at Omaha Productions,” said ESPN and sports content chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “This new agreement allows us to deepen our relationship and explore original concepts to spread that magic to other sports and events. Ultimately, this will help grow our audience by providing fans with even more creative options that they crave.”

This season’s nine episodes of Peyton and Eli averaged 1.6 million viewers.

“I’ve always loved talking football with my brother, and it was even more fun to do it while watching ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Eli and I are excited to sign on for another season, and the entire Omaha team is looking forward to producing MegaCasts that celebrate other sports,” Peyton Manning said. ■

Former Super Bowl quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning will be on Monday Night Football for the next three seasons, sort of.

The Mannings will be the lead attraction during alternate broadcasts of MNF as part of a new megacast on ESPN2 and potentially ESPN Plus.

They will add their commentary from a remote location, away from the studio. They will be joined by celebrities and current and former players.

The telecasts will be produced by Omaha Productions, Peyton Manning’s company.

Also Read: NFL Network To Show Record 23 Live Pre-Season Games

ESPN has been seeking Peyton Manning to add some star power to its Monday Night Football booth. Getting him for an alternate broadcast could still be called a win for the Disney-owned sports giant.

“Offering multiple Monday Night Football viewing options for the next three seasons continues our innovation efforts and provides additional value for our fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content. “Peyton and Eli will bring a different approach, delving into conversation about broader, big-picture topics while also honing in on the game, much like fans do when watching with their family and friends.” 

The Mannings' MegaCast broadcast will debut the first three weeks of 2021 MNF slate featuring Baltimore at Las Vegas, Detroit at Green Bay, and Philadelphia at Dallas.

Manning has been doing Peyton’s Places for ESPN Plus. Omaha Productions is also adding five new shows for ESPN: Abby’s Places, with Abby Wambach, Eli’s Places with Eli Manning, Papi’s Places with David Ortiz, Rowdy’s Places with Ronda Rousey and Vince’s Places with Vince Carter.

“This partnership with ESPN and The Walt Disney Company reflects an ongoing, shared commitment to offering fans fun, innovative content,” said Manning. “ESPN Plus has been a terrific partner for Omaha Productions as we built out The Places franchise and we’re excited to co-create a new MegaCast format that will have something for everyone.”

Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry return for their second consecutive season as a broadcast group and will be on the traditional call of Monday Night Football on ESPN.

Peyton Manning hosts quiz show Capital One College Bowl on NBC, premiering June 22. His brother Cooper helps out as “sidekick,” according to NBC. The show puts college students to the test as they compete for academic scholarships.

The series is a reboot of College Bowl, which aired on CBS from 1959 to 1963 and NBC from 1963 to 1970. General Electric sponsored those iterations of the show. 

Teams of three representing some of the nation’s top colleges will battle it out in a bracketed tournament over four rounds. Teams must work together to answer questions on a variety of subjects. The top two colleges advance to the final where they compete head-to-head for the Capital One College Bowl trophy and a scholarship. 

Participating colleges include University of Alabama, Auburn, Columbia, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Ole Miss, Morehouse College, University of Tennessee, University of Southern California, UCLA, University of Virginia and Xavier of Louisiana.  

Capital One is providing a total of $1 million in scholarships to participants.

Peyton Manning was a standout NFL quarterback from 1998 to 2015. Cooper, the oldest of the three Manning brothers, hosts The Manning Hour on Fox NFL Sunday. Eli Manning was an NFL quarterback too, and executive produces Capital One College Bowl with Peyton and Cooper, along with Richard Reid via Richard Reid Productions, Inc., and Mark Itkin via Tough Lamb Media. David Friedman is the showrunner. 

Capital One College Bowl is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio and Village Roadshow Television.

Turner Sports’ live telecast this past Sunday of a charity golf tournament featuring Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning scored big ratings numbers, continuing a trend of strong ratings performances from the return of live sports events amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The May 24 Capital One The Match: Champions for Charity drew 5.8 million viewers across TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN, according to Nielsen. The event, which generated  $20 million for COVID-19 relief efforts, was the most-watched golf telecast in cable TV history, according to Turner.

The Match event marked one of a few but growing number of live sports events that have taken place since the pandemic forced the shutdown of most events in mid March. Most sports events that have returned have brought a large following of fans to TV screens. 

Fox Sports has averaged nearly 4 million viewers for its first three live NASCAR telecasts, led by its first post-pandemic telecast. The May 17 race at Darlington drew  6.3 million viewers on Fox Broadcasting -- the second best performing race this season on Fox Sports, according to Nielsen.  

RELATED: Fox Sports Revs Up For NASCAR Return 

ESPN has pinned down some impressive numbers for its live UFC telecasts. The sports network averaged more than 1.2 million viewers for the main card of its May 16 UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris telecast after generating a reported 700,000 pay-per-view buys for its May 9 UFC 249 event.

With most live sports sidelined since early March due to the coronavirus outbreak, industry observers say sports fans have been salivating for live sports events, whether or not they were big fans of the sport being televised.

“The audience for televised sports is not going away --if anything it’s getting larger and perhaps more passionate because they miss what they haven’t been able to see during the past few months,” sports analyst Lee Berke said.

As more sports make their way back to television -- pro bowling, auto racing events and a potential boxing match are on deck for June -- Berke said that viewership for live sports events will only increase.

“You can’t go out to games, you can’t go out to shows, you can’t go to the movies, so the audience is starving for live events and content,” he said. “If sports can be brought back safely there’s a ready-made, large audience ready to watch.” 

Turner Sports this Sunday (May 24) will take viewers to the golf course for a live competition featuring Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson that is expected to raise $10 million to benefit COVID-19 relief.

Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity will feature Woods and Mickelson in a sequel to their November 2018 Turner Sports-distributed pay-per-view golf match, as well as iconic NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The event is Turner Sports’ first live sports telecast since the COVID-19 pandemic forced most live sports events to the sidelines. 

Live coverage of the tournament airing on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN will feature access with all players having open mics throughout the entire competition. The players will have the capability of communicating directly with other golfers and  broadcast commentators, which includes former NBA star Charles Barkley.

Turner Sports chief content officer Craig Barry recently talked about the origins and production of the event.

How did this event come together in light of the pandemic?

It’s really been months of preparation and it’s touched every part of our organization. Despite the pandemic, and with everyone working remotely, we’ve all come together in support of the event and we’re excited to produce a fun, entertaining event this weekend. We have four of the most iconic athletes on the planet involved and it’s all for COVID-19 relief. We hope fans will be able to take a break and enjoy it.

How big is The Match for sports-starved fans in general and golf fans in particular?

From the response we’ve been seeing, there’s strong interest in this event from both hardcore and casual sports fans. Above all, we hope it will drive meaningful funding for COVID-19 relief, while also offering people a bit of distraction from everything else they are facing in this unprecedented moment in time.

How has advertisers responded to The Match?

We were seeing a very strong marketplace before the pandemic, so it’s not a surprise that this event has generated an overwhelming response from our advertising partners. Capital One, as the title sponsor, and all of our marketing partners have enthusiastically supported both the event and its mission to drive funding for COVID-19 relief. We’re proud that we’ve been able to bring together these partners and hopefully deliver some moments that bring levity to viewers, all while maximizing how much funding we can raise in those relief efforts.

What production adjustments has Turner Sports made to televise the event due to the pandemic?

As you can imagine, our event footprint is significantly reduced to only include those individuals that are essential to the production. Most of those personnel have been hired locally for this event. That said, we’re confident in producing a high quality, entertaining show for our viewers.

What are your viewership expectations for The Match?

The key number we’re focused on for this event is the amount of funding for COVID-19 relief. That’s at the center of everything we’re doing. We don’t project viewership numbers, but we have four of the best athletes in the world on display and we think it is going to be a lot of fun for us and our fans.

Is Turner Sports developing on any other live sports events to televise in the near future?

We’re constantly seeking innovative ways to deliver premium sports content for our fans across all platforms, with this event being the latest example of that commitment. We’re very engaged with all of our partners and we’re going to keep exploring opportunities to provide content that truly resonates with fans.

ESPN+ will return its football-themed series Peyton’s Places for a second season in November, the network said Wednesday.

The series, hosted by iconic NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, is scheduled to return with 15 episodes beginning Thanksgiving weekend and running through Super Bowl Sunday, said officials.

The series follows Manning as he explores football’s history and cultural impact through conversations with players, coaches and other key figures, according to the sports streaming service, according to ESPN Plus.

“Peyton is the perfect guide to bring fans close to the places and people that helped make the NFL what it is today,” said ESPN Executive VP, Content Connor Schell. “Season one of Peyton’s Places was a fun, fantastic trip through football and we’re excited to bring the second chapter to ESPN+ with Peyton and NFL Films.”

ESPN+ will return its football-themed series Peyton’s Places for a second season in November, the network said Wednesday. 

The series, hosted by iconic NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, is scheduled to return with 15 episodes beginning Thanksgiving weekend and running through Super Bowl Sunday, said officials.

The series follows Manning as he explores football’s history and cultural impact through conversations with players, coaches and other key figures, according to the sports streaming service.

“Peyton is the perfect guide to bring fans close to the places and people that helped make the NFL what it is today,” said ESPN executive VP, content Connor Schell. “Season one of Peyton’s Places was a fun, fantastic trip through football and we’re excited to bring the second chapter to ESPN+ with Peyton and NFL Films.”

Illustrating the pent up demand for live TV sports, Turner Sports has sold out the sponsorships for the upcoming Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity, pitting Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady.

In addition to Capital One, presenting sponsors are Audi of America, Michelob Ultra and Progressive.

Cisco and DraftKings are content integration partners and AT&T, HBO Max, Callaway, Wheels Up and E-Z-Go are associate sponsors.

The event will be simulcast on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN on May 24 at 3 p.m. ET., which pre-match coverage on the Bleacher Report App.

While television ads are sold out, some digital packages are still available via Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and Xandr.

Turner Sports’ parent company WarnerMedia and the golfers will be donating $10 million to COVID-19 relief charities.

The event is a rematch of the Tiger-Mickelson pay-per-view showdown in 2018. Because of technical difficulties viewers wound up watching for free or getting their money back.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unimaginable tragedy and heartbreak,” said Jeff Zucker, chairman, WarnerMedia News and Sports. “We’re hopeful this event and platform will help raise meaningful funding for COVID-19 relief, while also providing a source of brief distraction and entertainment for all sports fans.”

Live coverage will feature unprecedented access with all players having open mics throughout the entire competition, including the capability to communicate directly with other golfers and the broadcast commentators.

“At Capital One, we’re committed to supporting our customers, communities and partners through this difficult time, and that is why we are proud to be the returning title sponsor of Capital One's The Match: Champions for Charity. This wonderful event will bring four of the world's best athletes together for a tremendous cause," said Marc Mentry, chief brand officer, Capital One. “Capital One knows our customers are passionate about sports, which is why we are excited to support this event and to help bring awareness to these amazing charities."

Another Super Bowl Sunday will produce memorable plays and make players into stars. After the game, some of those stars will turn into successful commercial endorsers.

Nielsen Talent Analytics looked at 30 of the highest ranked NFL players by N-Score — which evaluated the endorsement potential of athletes, actors and celebrities — and found that more than half of them are retired.

The highest score among retired players was registered by Joe Montana, who won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. He earned an 81 score out of 100, the same score as Peyton Manning, who might be playing his last game on Sunday and stars in commercials for DirecTV, Nationwide Insurance, Papa John’s Pizza and other brands. (Manning and Montana appear together in a Papa John’s spot.)

Some of the other players with high N-cores were Michael Strahan, the Giants lineman turned talk show host on Live with Kelly and Michael; Dan Marino, the ex-Dolphins QB; and Brett Favre, the former Packer.

People polled by Nielsen have high awareness of these players and find them influential. The players are also seen as being successful.

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.

The CBS/NFL Network simulcasts of Thursday Night Football went out on a strong Nielsen note.

The networks' telecast of the Denver Broncos' 35-21 victory over the San Diego Chargers averaged a combined 20.2 milion watchers, according to Nielsen fast nationals data. That was the second-biggest audience for TNF in its rookie season under this game plan, trailing only the 20.8 million watchers for the Sept. 11 opener between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens during the height of the Ray Rice frenzy.

The Oct. 23 delivery  -- Peyton Manning threw a trio of touchdowns to Emmanuel Sanders (pictured) to top Philip Rivers and company -- pushed the simulcast average from 16.1 million watchers to 16.5 million after the seven-game run.  That was almost double the 8.5 million for the corresponding stage of the 2013 campaign, when NFL Network aired the games in conjunction with over-the-stations in the participating clubs' DMAs.

CBS, which reported the ratings as a gross average across the two networks since that’s how it was sold to advertisers, easily racked up primetime audience and demo wins against all television competition during its TNF schedule, while also surpassing its 2013 performance in the daypart.  Next week, it will roll out its Thursday scripted lineup showcasting the return of The Big Bang Theory to its regular time slot and the bow of The McCarthys.

Black Rock has one telecast remaining on its one-year $275 million deal with the NFL, a Saturday doubleheader with NFL Network that features the Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Redskins and the Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers.

The NFL's simulcast experiments -- in which the league believes the game airings and promotions on CBS will boost its in-house network's Nielsen fortunes -- will be put to the test next week. On Oct. 30, NFL Network will begin televising Thursday Night Football for the balance of the season, albeit with CBS's production and lead-announce team of Jim Nance and Phil Simms. The New Orleans Saints will visit the Carolina Panthers next Thursday.