BBC Replaces ESPN in Broadcasting NFL’s Monday Night Football in UK

September 5, 2012

The BBC has replaced ESPN to broadcast the National Football League’s iconic Monday Night Football for the 2012 season.

Monday Night Football, for sale which launched in the 1970s and helped build the popularity of the NFL in the United States, health will be aired live by the BBC on the Red Button and will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website.

The deal means that MNF is now available to fans in the UK on a free-to-air basis. The season kicks off with a double-header next Monday (September 10), with the Cincinnati Bengals travelling to the Baltimore Ravens (kick-off at 12 midnight UK time), followed by the San Diego Chargers facing the Oakland Raiders (kick-off 3.15 a.m.)

David Murray, Head of Rights, BBC Sport, said: “We look forward to bringing Monday Night Football to our audience, who this summer have shown a great appetite for sport content via our online and red button streams. We’re delighted that our relationship with the NFL continues to grow and we look forward to a great season.”

In addition to MNF, BBC TV will continue to air live coverage of the Super Bowl, which is played in New Orleans on February 3, 2013; highlights of the International Series game between the New England Patriots and St Louis Rams at Wembley on Sunday October 28; and weekly playoff highlights in January.  BBC Radio will air at least one live game commentary per week on 5Live Sports Extra, beginning with the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowl champion New York Giants at 1.30 a.m. this Wednesday night.

“We are thrilled to be extending our relationship with the BBC in this way,” said Alistair Kirkwood, Managing Director of NFLUK. “Monday Night Football is one of the jewels of the NFL season and the ability for our fans to see it free of charge is very exciting.”

From Week 2 of the season, Monday Night Football will revert to its usual 1.30 a.m. start time. In Week 2 (September 17), viewers will be able to see Peyton Manning lead the Denver Broncos into battle at the Atlanta Falcons, while Week 3 features NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers taking on the Seattle Seahawks.