For many years the NFL’s mantra was “on any given Sunday …” anything could happen (meaning upsets). Pro football remains primarily a Sunday attraction, but the advent of ABC’s “Monday Night Football” telecasts in 1970 has served to alter the broadcast landscape and enhance viewer enjoyment in various ways. The players welcomed this addition, since it provided a prime-time showcase each week for two teams whose players knew a nationwide audience and the entire league was watching.
“MNF” has been one of the longest prime-time commercial network television series ever and pushed the envelope of entertainment value and viewer engagement. The concept of three men in the booth was introduced, initially with Keith Jackson, Don Meredith, and Howard Cosell. The broadcasts offered more camera angles than traditional Sunday afternoon telecasts, and features such as enhanced slow-motion replay and computerized graphics were rolled out. Sideline cameras, too, encouraged players to ham it up and say “Hi, Mom.”
The upshot has been more night games, including on Sunday and Thursday nights, and increased efforts to hook viewers.
