Monday Night Football moves to ESPN in 2006 (SNF to NBC)

[Dynasty]

Another American institution changes. I'm not a big enough a football fan to be sad. But, I'm sure it'll upset a few even though the games will still be available on TV.


Here's an article

Monday Night Football to ESPN in 2006

Monday Night Football is coming to ESPN in 2006.

Sunday Night Football is moving to NBC that same year.

And ABC, after 36 seasons, will no longer carry NFL games.

ESPN, NBC and the NFL announced the changes Monday afternoon. ESPN and the league reached an eight-year deal for moving MNF, while NBC and the NFL reached a six-year deal.

Starting with the 2006 season, ABC will not televise NFL games as part of these new agreements.

Monday Night Football first aired on Sept. 21, 1970, with the New York Jets visiting Cleveland. It has been a network institution ever since. The highest-rated game was a 29.6, with a 46 share, for a 1985 game between then-unbeaten Chicago and Miami. The Dolphins won, ending Chicago's hopes of a perfect season.

It is the second-longest running prime time network series, trailing 60 Minutes on CBS by two years.

Al Michaels has been the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football since 1986. Frank Gifford held the job from 1971 through 1985. Keith Jackson called the first season's games.

Among the analysts were Don Meredith, Alex Karras, Fred (The Hammer) Williamson, Frank Tarkenton, O.J. Simpson, Dan Dierdorf, Boomer Esiason, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller and Howard Cosell.

Current analyst John Madden joined Michaels for the 2002 season.

[IndieMatty]

This deserves a huge "Wow".

[nolanfan34]

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This deserves a huge "Wow".

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That's exactly what I said. MNF was unique in network television to begin with, but it's still strange to think of it not being on ABC. What a huge move for ESPN, well done.

[kerssens]

Surprising to me, but it doesn't matter which network the NFL is on, I'll watch.

[IndieMatty]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]



This deserves a huge "Wow".

[/ QUOTE ]

That's exactly what I said. MNF was unique in network television to begin with, but it's still strange to think of it not being on ABC. What a huge move for ESPN, well done.

[/ QUOTE ]


What's totally bizzarre is they are both the same company. ESPN and ABC are both Disney in the end. So basically this is a conscious move to shift from one network to the other. Seems like a rather poor one, the NFL is hitting it's peak in terms of popularity and viewership and Disney decides it doesn't want the monopoly on PrimeTime football. Very weird.

[pshreck]

This has got to be the biggest risk ESPN has ever taken. First of all, Im surprised they can even afford this, and secondly, if it bombs (and MNF has not been doing too well) they could be in big trouble.

Plus I would say in general ESPN sucks when it comes to showing and have good commentary on games. Their Sunday night broadcasts always suck.

Oh well, good luck to them.

[istewart]

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nd MNF has not been doing too well)

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Hopefully game selection will improve.

[kerssens]

Aren't they able to switch games to Monday in the last couple weeks of the season to ensure a good game? Does that start this year?

[pshreck]

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[ QUOTE ]
nd MNF has not been doing too well)

[/ QUOTE ]

Hopefully game selection will improve.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, well its hard because of the inconsistency each year from team to team.

Like everyone is getting all hyped up about the eagles-falcons matchup for this year. There is a solid chance one of those teams isnt even making the playoffs.

[istewart]

As long as they don't have Dolphins/Browns or whatever trash they had last season.