‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ camaraderie results in rising viewership for ESPN – USA TODAY

NFL pregame reveals have been a staple of making ready followers for soccer weekends for almost six a long time, and whereas the content material might fluctuate between the heavy-handed to the mundane to the intense, the aim of the reveals can’t be overstated, whether or not viewers agree on what they’re being advised or not.

“Sunday NFL Countdown” on ESPN has been on the air in some iteration since 1985, beginning with legendary broadcaster Chris Berman taking the reins because the host. The community hasn’t broadcast video games on Sunday since 2005 when NBC took over the Sunday night time package deal. So the lead-up to the 1 p.m. ET video games has to appear and feel totally different than their counterparts on FOX and CBS, which spend one hour every with the pregame reveals.

Based mostly on the South Avenue Seaport Pier 17 complicated in decrease Manhattan, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, “Sunday NFL Countdown” has three hours of data, evaluation, and options with dialogue on the week’s high video games and storylines.

The present crew — host Samantha Ponder, with Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Randy Moss, former gamers Matt Hasselbeck and Tedy Bruschi, and former coach Rex Ryan as analysts, plus insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen — are finishing their fourth season collectively and by all metrics, the 2022 marketing campaign was essentially the most profitable.

Viewership in key demographics, reminiscent of 18- to 24-year-olds, was up 13%, feminine viewership is up 8% and the telecast averaged 1.24 million viewers per present, essentially the most since 2019.

Seth Markman, vice chairman of manufacturing for ESPN, mentioned it’s necessary to maintain the present group collectively so long as potential for these causes.

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Mainstays reminiscent of “FOX NFL Sunday,” “Contained in the NBA” and ESPN’s personal “Faculty GameDay” are some examples of getting uncommon expertise turnover that results in excellent, award-winning tv.

“It is massively necessary and we have made it a precedence during the last couple of years. We had too a few years the place we turned it over,” Markman, who supervises all school soccer and NFL studio reveals for ESPN, advised USA TODAY Sports activities. “I believe we misplaced sight a bit bit at occasions of how necessary it’s to the viewers to connect with a bunch on TV, and that it will probably turn into a bit little bit of consolation meals for individuals if you’ll.”

In the interim, Markman is getting his want of togetherness as Ponder, Moss, Hasselbeck and Bruschi every signed contract extensions with ESPN final summer time.

Whereas the NFL title is a part of the present’s title and the community pays billions to broadcast “Monday Night time Soccer,” the league is usually hands-off in the case of matters or the conduct of the hosts.

“For us, we need to speak about all the pieces that is occurring within the area. There’s nothing off-limits. However taking private pictures at guys, that is the place we step in at occasions and say we need to be above that,” Markman mentioned.

Markman did say the league was interested by how the present would deal with matters surrounding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who missed six video games this season after being concussed twice, and continues to be within the protocol after his newest head harm.

“The one factor they provide at occasions is assets or remark, or say, ‘Would it not be useful if we made one in every of our medical doctors accessible to speak to your group? Or wouldn’t it be useful if Troy Vincent talked to your group simply so you’ve all the knowledge?'” Markman mentioned.

NFL Countdown ‘probably not a sizzling take present’

With former gamers permeating tv units throughout all networks, criticism of former or present colleagues might play a think about what might be perceived as “sizzling takes” and even delve into the realm of authenticity.

For Bruschi and Hasselback, they haven’t any such drawback telling it like it’s.

Bruschi performed his whole 13-year profession with the New England Patriots, and due to the success they’ve had this century, they’re typically the subject of dialog throughout these reveals.

“I believe I used to be extra fearful about that early in my profession,” Bruschi mentioned. “I believe I progressed as an analyst to the place I’m snug now being vital of or choosing in opposition to the Patriots. Even Jeff Saturday, who I labored with a bit bit, and being vital of him and the yr the Colts had, wasn’t an issue with me. That is who I’m and that is my opinion. And I am simply proud that I am simply going to provide it.”

Hasselbeck, a 17-year NFL participant, admits he was nonetheless attempting to play soccer when Markman was attempting to pry him out of his cleats to turn into an analyst. However his brother, Tim, was on employees on the community and knew a part of any tv job was speaking about gamers who had been rivals and presumably mates, and people relationships may very well be fractured.

Being a fan of ESPN was additionally a part of the enchantment.

“I used to be most likely the final particular person in my household in my city to ever have cable. However for no matter purpose, it did not go away ESPN. It simply did not go away the channel,” Hasselbeck mentioned.

However one factor Hasselbeck makes clear is what the present just isn’t.

“We’re probably not a sizzling take present. You attempt to enlighten individuals. Now the large factor and a few reveals, you attempt to enrage individuals come what may and that drives (what goes) viral. It’s one thing that is probably not our factor. The best way I take a look at it’s we attempt to give our viewers a ticket to one thing they may by no means purchase a ticket to. That is what I’ve tried to do,” Hasselbeck mentioned.

It’s apparent the expertise will get alongside and that’s a part of the enchantment of the present. However that camaraderie was examined early throughout the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

“Us watching video games collectively, sharing meals collectively throughout that COVID yr was actually necessary,” Bruschi mentioned. “However I believe over the primary two years, getting the course of understanding one another and getting snug with one another was useful.”

Whereas spending that useful time collectively, it gave the crew an opportunity to construct the chemistry that’s uncommon within the tv trade and to gather knowledge on one another simply in case it was time to giggle. It may very well be Rex Ryan’s affinity for sporting the identical jumpsuit all weekend, Bruschi’s love of croissants, or Moss’s dependancy to sweets, as he’ll refuse to eat any yellow and inexperienced sweet and graciously hand these to Ponder.

Samantha Ponder takes ‘no mess’

The position as the primary and final cease for sustaining a cohesive crew and a few order between distinctive personalities belongs to Ponder.

Her co-hosts admit they wouldn’t know what the present could be like with out the 37-year-old Ponder, who’s one in every of a handful of ladies internet hosting a pregame NFL present.

Markman credit her means to steer the present with unbelievable ease whereas Bruschi and Hasselbeck commend Ponder for not taking any “mess” from them if matters or conversations get out of hand or have the potential of going viral for the improper causes.

Ponder’s “take no mess” persona comes from her father and two brothers, whereas rising up in Arizona, the place she spent weekends watching Ahmad Rashad on “Inside Stuff”.

Ponder has a singular viewpoint as a bunch, first being a university sports activities sideline reporter for a decade and likewise because the spouse of a former first-round NFL quarterback, Christian Ponder, who spent six seasons within the league.

That is very true when information about Tagovailoa or Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest on the sphere earlier this month in a Monday night time recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, bounce from the sports activities web page to the entrance web page.

“The job provides me perspective, and also you’re in a position to see extra of the large image,” Ponder mentioned. “I do know what it was like in my home each Monday morning when my husband was waking up and having a tough time getting again to mattress. While you see it up shut, it’s totally different. That doesn’t make me particular as a result of he was within the NFL. Somebody who’s married to a dentist goes to have a distinct appreciation for tooth. It impacts the best way you see the world by way of that lens.”

Ponder says being a lady in her place typically is a heavy burden, as a result of so many individuals look as much as her, whereas others are ready for her to fail.

“Individuals are watching me and seeking to see what this path is like,” mentioned Ponder, who can be a mom of three youngsters. “I did the identical factor once I was a younger woman once I determined in third grade that is what I wished to do.”

For now, Ponder has no plans of doing the rest and says she doesn’t like to consider what’s subsequent.

She realized that lesson when she came upon she was pregnant together with her second little one and per week later her agent requested about her curiosity in “Countdown.””

“There are issues I wish to do, however proper now I’m grateful I get to be a full-time mother,” Ponder mentioned. “I by no means thought I’d be right here within the first place. However all I do know is we’re having lots of enjoyable and it seems like hanging out with mates on the present.”

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