The latest incarnation of NFL GameDay Prime has evolved into a late night talk show. With the NFL’s new partnership with Fox on this show, which includes syndicating it to some Fox affiliates, the show has a new host in Fox’s Charissa Thompson. Deion Sanders has been there since the show began as NFL GameDay Final and has become more of the focus over time. And Shannon Sharpe, co-host of FS1’s Undisputed, has been brought on board to join NFL Network’s LaDainian Tomlinson.

When NFL Network began its late Sunday night highlights show (originally NFL GameDay Final), it was heavy on highlights and promoted itself as the show that had the most highlights. However, as the years have passed, the show has changed hosts from Rich Eisen to Fran Charles to Chris Rose to now Thompson.

And instead of each game getting full highlights, the show has reduced the time to a slickly-produced taped package featuring radio calls. Then as there are interviews between Sanders and various players like this one with the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller. It’s not hard-hitting journalism, but it’s not meant to be:

And that led to Sharpe and Sanders discussing Shannon’s farming acumen:

Later, Sanders talked with New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley:

It’s not hard-hitting analysis, but it’s not meant to be. With the Fox/NFL partnership, NFL GameDay Prime is now being offered to local Fox affiliates, thus increasing its exposure. And with the show appearing on two different outlets, it means that the bottom lines are different. Here’s how the show looks on Fox stations:

And on NFL Network:

With Thompson stationed at a desk and Sanders, Tomlinson and Sharpe seated next from right to left, NFL GameDay Prime isn’t NFL Primetime and isn’t supposed to be. Highlights are no longer the attraction. NFL Network has made the focus on talk and interviews. The talk and discussion allow the panel to be less formal and more relaxed.

Will fans get into this? Good question. For now, the Fox/NFL partnership is all over NFL GameDay Prime. But whether the changes to make the show even more conversational and casual resonate with fans will be answered in the ratings.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.