By Everdeen Mason
The National Football League reached a deal with CBS Corp. (CBS)
on the broadcast rights to a package of 16 mostly Thursday night
games for the 2014 season.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Under the deal, CBS will
produce all 16 telecasts but only air eight early-season games. The
NFL Network will simulcast the first eight games and then televise
the last eight games.
The deal shows the power of the NFL as it will displace, at
least temporarily, one of the most popular scripted shows on
television, CBS' "The Big Bang Theory," which airs on Thursday
nights.
"The NFL represents the best premium content there is," CBS
Chief Executive Leslie Moonves said in a news release. CBS already
owns the rights to the NFL's package of Sunday American Football
Conference games.
The agreement announced Wednesday is for a combination of games
that include 14 on Thursday nights and two late-season games on
Saturday. CBS' lead NFL broadcasters, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms,
will announce all 16 games.
Under the agreement, the NFL has an option to extend the
partnership an additional year after the 2014 season.
CBS shares, up 38% over the past year, recently rose 45 cents to
$58.32.
Write to Everdeen Mason at everdeen.mason@wsj.com
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