Nickelodeon appears to have some competition for its kids-focused NFL broadcast.
After ViacomCBS found success with its slime-filled Nickelodeon broadcast of the NFC Wild Card game between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears last year, Disney is looking to replicate something similar.
According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Disney — the parent company of ESPN — is aiming to produce a kids-oriented version of Monday Night Football or a Wild Card Playoff game telecast.
Disney could call on one of its sister companies, which includes entities like Marvel Entertainment, LucasFilm, Disney Channel and Pixar, to employ such a telecast.
In fact, ESPN2/ESPN+ had already produced a Marvel-inspired NBA telecast earlier this year during a Golden State Warriors-New Orleans Pelicans game that consisted of multiple 3D virtual characters, animation and more.
“Look, Disney invented kids entertainment,” a source told McCarthy. “They’ve had to sit back watching Nickelodeon and CBS pound their chests all year. Well, Disney thinks they can do it better when it comes to reaching kids and families.”
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While Disney is discussing different ideas, no plans are finalized and it would still need NFL approval.
The Nickelodeon telecast of the NFC Playoff Game was wildly successful, earning rave reviews and prompting the network to host another Nickelodeon broadcast for the Jan. 16 Wild Card Game that will also be aired on CBS.
Additionally, Nate Burleson will host a new weekly series titled “NFL Slimetime, which will premiere Sept. 15 and feature ESPN Insider Adam Schefter’s daughter, Dylan, as its teen correspondent.
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