Why are there two ‘Monday Night Football’ games tonight? Explaining NFL’s multiple prime-time games in Week 3
NFL primetime games are usually reserved for one showdown for all fans to tune in to. It spawned the iconic catchphrase “waiting all day for Sunday night” because the final Sunday game was supposed to be a marquee matchup to cap off a wild day of action.Â
Unfortunately, in the world of TV, money talks. Companies are constantly examining viewership numbers, experimenting with time slots, and trying to find the most advantageous time for their product. We have seen megadeals go down with companies buying the rights to certain primetime games, and MNF falls under that umbrella.Â
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Why are there two ‘Monday Night Football’ games tonight?ESPN retained the rights to ‘Monday Night Football’ in 2021Â and will keep that weekly slot through the 2033 season. The deal also awarded Disney extra regular season games during the year. They utilized them by trying different time slots and game combinations on Monday nights.Â
ESPN president Burke Magnus talked with The Athletic last year ahead of a MNF doubleheader.
“We’re going to learn more about what optimizes best, and I think by next year we’ll continue to hone on driving the biggest viewership between the two games. We will learn if it is better to start with the ABC game, the ESPN game, or the other way around. … In Week 14, we’re doing both games at the same time. The thought there is, can we combine total audience and do a little bit like we used to do in the old days of college football where we create a simultaneous national and regional appeal and use our networks to do that in a single window? Then it combines to sort of like a super audience total number.”
The NFL was on board to see how the experiment went, as it could open up further possibilities for the league. Executive Vice President Hans Schroeder told The Athletic the following.Â
“We have the unique opportunity with a single partner, with two really strong national distribution assets in ESPN and ABC, and what we want to do is continue to innovate and create a new viewing experience,” Schroeder told Deitsch in September. “So you’ll see more look-ins in between the games. You’ll see more coverage between the two games going on, you’ll see things at halftime in those first couple weeks where they go to the other game. The whole desire is, how do we create a new and different and compelling way for fans to watch games, and how do we continue to test and innovate as we do that? We’re really excited for those side-by-sides with Disney.”
For most of the season, only one MNF game will air on ESPN. Sometimes, a simulcast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning will air, as well.
When are the two Week 3 MNF games?In Week 3, one game will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, and the other will be at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC.Â
HOW TO WATCH ABC: Fubo
Who is playing in Week 3’s MNF doubleheader? The early MNF game will see the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) going on the road to face the Buffalo Bills (2-0). The second game features the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Washington Commanders (1-1).Â
When will there be two MNF games in 2024? There will be an MNF doubleheader in Weeks 3, 4, 7, and 15.
