Ad Disclosure
NFL to air kid-friendly playoff game on Nickelodeon in January
Published:
Differing from their normal telecasts on CBS and FOX, the National Football League will air a “kid-friendly” broadcast of their 4:30 p.m. ET Wild Card Game on January 10 on Nickelodeon.
#BREAKING: @Nickelodeon's #NFL Wild Card telecast next month will feature superimposed slime in endzones, googly eyes on players during replays and more to give the game a distinctly Nickelodeon look-and-feel (@Ourand_SBJ).
Free to read: https://t.co/czgZktdM4d pic.twitter.com/EmlOO6zW1Y
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) December 15, 2020
“This is going to look different than a normal CBS broadcast, and I think the NFL understands that,” CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus said, via the Sports Business Journal.
“They really see the value. They are intent on reaching a younger audience. They think that’s where the fans of the future are. They think this is a really cool idea.”
Some of the distinguishing features will include superimposed slime in the end zones and adding Snapchat-style filters, such as googly eyes, to players during replays.
When a touchdown is scored, the network plans to cut to an animated scene of SpongeBob SqaurePants and Patrick Star yelling, “Touchdown!”
The NFL previously tested this type of broadcast during the December 6 game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field.
Noah Eagle will call the Wild Card Game, with CBS’ Nate Burleson and Nickelodeon’s Gabrielle Nevaeh providing color commentary. Lex Lumpkin, who also works for Nickelodeon, will be the sideline reporter.
Many of the advertisements will be the same as the CBS broadcast, but McManus said there will be some different commercials for their younger audience.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.