Jim Nantz recently was in the play-by-play booth for five NFL games in 15 days, a sports broadcasting record.
But such a hectic schedule on CBS and the NFL Network hasn’t dimmed the enthusiasm of the 55-year-old broadcaster.
Nantz told Ed Sherman, a Chicago sports media columnist: “I’m raring to go for another season. I’d sign up again in a heartbeat.”
On the surface, everyone connected to the NFL marriage between CBS and the NFL Network is “raring to go.”
The dual ratings for CBS and the NFL Network during the eight-week schedule were impressive — an average of more than 16 million viewers despite several blowout games.
And the NFL Network’s current Thursday night games, minus CBS broadcasters, are drawing audiences that are 12 percent higher than last year’s.
CBS, which paid $275 million for the broadcasting rights, reports that its eight-game schedule produced audience ratings significantly higher than the network’s 2013 entertainment programming in the Thursday prime-time lineup.
Walt DeHaven, the vice president and general manager of KCNC-4, Denver’s CBS affiliate, notes that the CBS-NFL Network teamwork has the support of CBS affiliates across the country.
“Denver, of course, is a hotbed for NFL football because of the Broncos,” he said. “But I’m not aware of any CBS stations that are not eager for a second season tie-up with the NFL Network.”
For the record, the Broncos-Chargers game Oct. 23, the final dual telecast this season, ranked No. 2 on the schedule with 20.2 million viewers — slightly behind the Ravens-Steelers game Sept 11, which drew 20.8 million.
Such audience and financial success obviously blunts some negative commentary from critics and players who contend the short work week (games Sunday and Thursday) has diminished the quality of the games because players often don’t respond, physically or emotionally, to such a schedule.
The public’s thirst for telecasts of NFL games is what drives league revenue.
Before the Super Bowl is played Feb. 1, look for an announcement by the NFL regarding coverage of Thursday night games next season.
Why the delay? Possibly because Fox, which is looking to expand its TV sports universe, might be planning a major bid to pre-empt CBS. The second-year option belongs to the NFL, not to CBS.
From strictly a broadcasting perspective, CBS performed well during its eight-game schedule this season.
Nantz remained in control as a play-by plan man and Tracy Wolfson, a former college sideline reporter, moved well into her NFL role.
Phil Simms?
He’s not the untalented “bad guy” who dislikes the Broncos — a tag some fans continually pin on him.
In fact, the former NFL quarterback might have been wearing an orange-and-blue shirt under his sports jacket during recent Sunday coverage on CBS.
But as an analyst, Simms doesn’t wear as well when compared with NBC’s Cris Collinsworth, who is the best in the NFL broadcasting booth.
Simms’ twangy voice is not an asset. And familiar phrases such as “We’ve talked about …” are overused.
Actually, the real heroes of the CBS-NFL Network coverage are still working.
The CBS production crew, led by coordinating producer Lance Barrow and director Mike Arnold, remains responsible for the NFL Network’s excellent telecasts.
Nantz, Simms and Wolfson will have a curtain call on the NFL Network on Saturday, Dec. 20, with a prime-time simulcast of the Chargers-49ers game.
Longtime Denver journalist Dusty Saunders writes about the sports media each Monday in The Denver Post. Contact him at tvtime@comcast.net.
ESPN coverage going WAL to WAL in 2015
Sports fans are well aware of acronyms such as NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and NCAA.
Have you heard of the WAL?
The World Armwrestling League recently signed an exclusive contract with ESPN, which will provide major coverage in 2015.
If there’s ever a major tournament for tiddlywinks competition, ESPN’s wide-ranging crews will cover its championship events.
