NBC Sports announces unique alternate broadcast option for Chiefs' Week 16 tilt with Texans
NBC is dipping its toes into the world of NFL alternate broadcasts. You've seen the CBS airing games on Nickelodeon, while ESPN/ABC have done "Simpsons" and "Toy Story" alternate broadcasts, but what happens with the league brings the EA Sports "Madden NFL" video game franchise to life? Fans can learn the answer during the NFL's […]
NBC is dipping its toes into the world of NFL alternate broadcasts. You've seen the CBS airing games on Nickelodeon, while ESPN/ABC have done "Simpsons" and "Toy Story" alternate broadcasts, but what happens with the league brings the EA Sports "Madden NFL" video game franchise to life? Fans can learn the answer during the NFL's Week 16 tilt between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.
NBC Sports has announced that they will stream the first-ever "Maddencast" alternate broadcast on Peacock beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET, with the main broadcast between the Chiefs-Texans airing on NBC.
The stream, a collaboration between NBC Sports, Peacock, the National Football League, EA SPORTS, and Genius Sports, will be an immersive, data-powered live football experience that injects Madden NFL’s unique brand elements as animated overlays (images below). Featuring live EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25 graphics, route trees, play cards and player ratings, the Madden NFL Cast will transform football strategy, information and IQ for viewers, enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats and GeniusIQ, Genius Sports’ next generation data and AI platform. GeniusIQ combines real-time data insights with fully branded animations, delivering an immersive viewing experience. – NBC Sports Press Box
NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister will handle play-by-play duties, with former NFL QB Kurt Benkert providing color commentary utilizing graphic overlays to discuss and predict play options. Former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro WR Chad Ochocinco will serve as a real-time player “ratings adjuster" for the game. The crew will also be joined by Pro Madden Player Henry Leverrette, who won the last Madden Bowl Championship.
“The Madden NFL Cast is an awesome way to bring the virtual and real world of football together in a way that fans can resonate with. As a former quarterback, I’ve spent countless hours playing Madden, not just for the fun of it, but to develop my real-life game. There is so much strategy that goes into playing the virtual game that matches the real-life version. It’s been such a huge part of my life, both on and off the field, and I’m excited to share that personal experience to help fans see the game in a whole new way.” – Kurt Benkert
“Madden NFL has been a part of my life for years – it’s how I sharpened my understanding of the game and kept the competition going off the field. As a Madden Ratings Adjustor, I know every detail that makes this game great, and now, with the EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast, I get to bring that experience to fans across the country. This is a show made for true football lovers—you won’t want to miss it.” – Chad Ochocinco
“John Madden on the call of a big game is the soundtrack of so many of my NFL viewing memories So many football fans have learned about the NFL and fallen in love with it through their own playing of the Madden game. Bringing all of that together in this telecast is a pretty cool concept and I’m thrilled to have a role in bringing the idea to life.” – Paul Burmeister
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