The new Thursday Night Football schedule features CBS, NBC, and NFL Network (and don’t forget Twitter) sharing rights to broadcast or stream the games. The matrix of who’s broadcasting and who’s simulcasting the games each week probably needs an advanced degree in quantum mechanics to figure out, but it does have a ripple effect throughout the NFL broadcasting world.
One of those effects is Mike Tirico moving to NBC to announce their slate of the Thursday Night Football calendar. Another effect on the CBS side will actually be seen on Showtime. After focusing on Thursday Night Football pregame show hosting duties, James Brown will return to Inside the NFL as host once again.
Via the New York Daily News:
After a two-year hiatus, James Brown will return as host of Showtime’s “Inside the NFL,” which debuts September 6.
Showtime confirmed the return of J.B., who left “Inside the NFL” to host CBS’ Thursday Night Football pregame show. Since CBS (five Thursday night games) is sharing the package with NBC and the NFL Network this season, Brown will be able to appear on “ITN.”
CBS Sports Network’s Adam Schein hosted the show in JB’s absence and will assume hosting duties if and when there are conflicts in Brown’s schedule due to Thursday Night Football this season. The Daily News also says Brandon Marshall, Boomer Esiason, and Cris Collinsworth will return as analysts.
Beginning in 1977, Inside the NFL is the longest running series in the history of cable television. In 2008, the program was picked up by Showtime after HBO decided to no longer move forward with the series.
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