One of the biggest video game franchises of all time is getting its own NFL alternative broadcast.
EA Sports’ Madden NFL 25 will be the basis for a new altcast called the Madden NFL Cast being produced by NBC Sports. The alternative broadcast will cover the Dec. 21 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, and will stream on Peacock (NBC will air the regular commentary).
The Madden NFL Cast will be the first alternative broadcast produced exclusively for Peacock. NBC Sports joins Disney/ESPN, Prime Video and Paramount/CBS in producing a new alternative NFL broadcast meant to tap into a demographic that is of interest to the NFL.
NBC and the NFL announced the Madden NFL Cast at halftime of Thanksgiving’s Miami Dolphins-Green Bay Packers game.
The Madden NFL Cast will blend video game graphics pulled straight from the game with live action. “Featuring live EA Sports Madden NFL 25 graphics, route trees, play cards and player ratings, the Madden NFL Cast will transform football strategy, information and IQ for viewers, enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats and GeniusIQ, Genius Sports’ next generation data and AI platform,” NBC says.
Paul Burmeister will handle play-by-play, with former NFL quarterback, YouTuber and Madden NFL expert Kurt Benkert “utilizing graphic overlays to discuss and predict play options” and six-time Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco serving as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.”
Professional Madden NFL player Henry Leverette will also join the broadcast team.
“We are excited to work with the NFL, EA Sports and Genius Sports to offer fans the ability to watch Madden NFL come to life like never before exclusively on Peacock, which has established itself as a home for premium live sports and innovative viewing experiences. This first-ever Madden NFL Cast marks a new milestone as Peacock’s first sports alt-cast,” said NBC Sports’ executive producer of NFL Fred Gaudelli, who was the lead producer for John Madden’s final seven seasons in the broadcast booth (2002-05 at ABC, 2006-08 at NBC).
“Not only are the Texans and Chiefs in first place in their respective divisions, but they have star players at multiple positions whose avatars will help us analyze the game’s biggest plays through the Madden NFL 25 lens. It has long been a point of pride for John and the Madden family that their video game has helped generations of fans and gamers learn and enjoy football, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition,” Gaudelli continued.
“We are constantly looking for exciting and innovative ways to present our game, and we are incredibly excited about the opportunity to bring together the Madden game, our Next Gen Stats platform and NBC Sports’ incredible production to create an entirely new way to experience an NFL game on Peacock,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL executive VP of media distribution. “The Madden game franchise has had an indelible impact on generations of football fans and gamers alike, and we look forward to honoring that legacy with this unique broadcast of a crucial matchup with postseason implications.”
“At EA Sports, we’re always exploring innovative ways to bring fans closer to the game they love, and the Madden NFL Cast is a groundbreaking step in that direction,” said Andrea Hopelain, GM & senior vp, publishing, EA Sports. “By merging the excitement of live NFL action with the immersive possibilities of augmented reality, we’re redefining how fans experience football. Partnering with NBC Sports, Peacock, the NFL and Genius Sports on this initiative allows us to deliver a dynamic broadcast that showcases the power of Madden NFL in a whole new way outside the game.”
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