KWGN-Channel 2 general manager Jim Zerwekh said tonight’s Denver Broncos-Houston Texans broadcast from Reliant Stadium is going to be the biggest programming event since he joined the station four years ago.
In August, the station won the rights to locally broadcast the game, which will be shown nationally on the NFL Network, a channel that’s available only on pay television.
KWGN put together the most compelling bid, which includes ad shares, network promotional spots, cash and other factors, said NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky.
Since 1987, when games were first shown on cable TV, all participating team markets have been able to see their team’s pay-TV games on an over-the- air station.
Last season, KDVR-Channel 31 won the rights to locally broadcast the Broncos’ first appearance on the NFL Network.
Zerwekh said the station was able to significantly raise ad rates for a night that typically already has higher rates.
“Broncos football is the highest-rated programming any station in the market can run, unless you’re running the Super Bowl,” he said.
The game is at 6 p.m.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
