Since it launched, the ManningCast has been one of the best altcasts in sports television. Networks have long sought out both Peyton and Eli Manning for their mix of humor, insight, and legendary careers.
When ESPN and Omaha Productions launched the ManningCast as an altcast for Monday Night Football, it was a revelation for fans. Here was an opportunity to hang out with two of the greatest, most accomplished, most iconic quarterbacks of all time and watch along with them. What more could a football fan ask for?
But over the years, the ManningCast has slowly faded in prominence as viewership has gradually dropped. Now in its sixth season on ESPN2, Week 1 of the ManningCast for the 2026 season drew just 705,000 viewers. That continues a trend: last year, no version of the show eclipsed the 1 million viewer threshold. By comparison, the show’s second season averaged over 1.1 million viewers per week.
Altcasts are never meant to compete with the main broadcast. The most-watched ManningCast of all-time drew 1.96 million viewers for a 2021 Giants-Chiefs game. But that still accounted for just 14% of the total audience. Most altcasts are in the low single digits in audience.
With their viewership numbers now mirroring that of other altcasts, it’s clear that the novelty has worn off for the Manning brothers. And that’s not great for ESPN heading into the Super Bowl edition next February. While it’s only part of a larger deal with Omaha, ESPN also has to ask whether it’s still getting its bang for the buck in what’s reportedly a near-$60 million deal with Peyton’s production company. Everyone involved also has to take a long, hard look at the evolution of the ManningCast and how it can be turned around.
But judging from the fan response to Week 1 of the 2026 season, the solution seems to be very simple.
More Mannings, Fewer Guests
The ManningCast has leaned heavily on guest stars throughout its run. Two years ago, Bill Belichick was a consistent contributor before returning to coaching with North Carolina. But current and former players and celebrities have been a constant. Last Monday, Peyton and Eli were joined by former Broncos quarterback John Elway, actress Kate Hudson, and Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald.
The guests can vary wildly in what they add to the broadcast. Sometimes it seems like Peyton and Eli have to lean on a ton of pre-planned material and questions in order to get through a quarter, especially with celebrities who don’t have a real connection to the game. But when it’s a football person, such as quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Drew Brees, the telecast can go to the next level.
Each week usually features a guest-free first quarter while each of the three guests traditionally joins for a quarter. The focus on guests has turned what started as a football-centric telecast with a little bit of fun and humor mixed in into a variety show with football as the side dish. Even new analytical bells and whistles like “Manning Mode” failed to really capture the imagination.
Peyton Manning launches Manning Mode, showing off advanced stats, formations, coverages, etc.
Peyton: “The world as you and I know it no longer exists.”
Eli: “Do we have Manning Mode for the punt?”
Peyton: “No. No, no, no. Absolutely not. No Manning Mode for special teams.” pic.twitter.com/j9uG1p1wK4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 15, 2026
The best way to bring the ManningCast back to its best is to realize that less is more. The more the brothers lean into celebrities and comedy bits, the further they move away from what made the broadcast special in the first place. That’s not to say that it should be a joyless Xs and Os breakdown of every play. A huge part of their appeal is their quirky humor and the way they play off each other. But now it seems like it’s taking away from the presentation instead of adding to it.
Saving the ManningCast is so simple.
STOP TALKING TO ANYONE WHO ISN’T A MANNING. https://t.co/VtApx01GZx— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) September 17, 2026
Taking maybe the greatest football mind of all time and turning him into a sit-down comedian was definitely a choice https://t.co/vvV2u5pist
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 17, 2026
Nothing better than the first quarter when they’re talking about the game. The celebrity podcast the next three quarters kills it. https://t.co/SCq7249sZW
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 17, 2026
THIS is what went wrong with the Manningcast.
Someone decided it needed endless guests when all anyone wants to see is both Mannings watching the game. https://t.co/bSZWG8hSWl
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) September 17, 2026
The ManningCast is incredible when it’s the two of them talking ball and giving analysis. It’s not a show for casual football fans.
I have no idea why they feel they need to bring on celebrities who bog down the show. It’s pushing away their actual audience. https://t.co/09IA3PygSL
— David Ubben (@davidubben) September 18, 2026
Manningcast was really good when they were analyzing games in a deeper way than the regular broadcast.
I lost all interest once they decided to become just another mediocre talk show interviewing random celebrities while a game plays in the background.https://t.co/2Cp9YGWy1s
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 17, 2026
Not only do people not care about the celebrity guests but they’re both terrible at interviewing people with producer written questions in an environment that isn’t built for interviews
Guests should be people they’re comfortable with. I like the Manningcast still but it could… https://t.co/rigLGElArl
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 17, 2026
Just a ridiculous amount of guests who either don’t know football, are not interesting, and/or have zero chemistry with the Mannings
Not to mention, when you are doing something remote with strangers, there are way too many awkward silences and people talking over one another… https://t.co/iTud9RInyU
— Cons (@CaptainCons) September 18, 2026
The core issue facing the ManningCast is that if fans think they are getting a better football product on the main telecast with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, they’ll naturally gravitate to that platform. At this point, it’s tough to discern who the ManningCast is for. Is it for football fans who just want to see Peyton and Eli no matter what? Is it for hardcores who want the added breakdowns and analysis? Is it for casuals who want to hear from Kate Hudson? Or is it for people who want football to more resemble a variety show from the 1970s?
The best thing the ManningCast can do ahead of their Super Bowl is to go back to basics. It would be fascinating to see how people would respond to a guest-free ManningCast and how many would watch if it were just the brothers doing what they do best. Right now, it seems like a clip show that plays better on social media in small doses than something you would watch for three hours.
If Peyton and Eli can get the balance right, the ManningCast can easily be great again. It’s just a matter of whether they can embrace that less is more moving forward.
About Matt Yoder