A notable trend in the current NFL season has been the scheduling of multiple Monday night games at the same time, a strategy that has become increasingly visible since 2022. This shift stems from a comprehensive media rights deal the NFL finalized in early 2021, which expanded the league’s broadcast schedule to include partnerships with longtime networks and new digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video. The deal improved Disney’s content offerings by increasing the number of games broadcast on ESPN and ABC to 23, up from 17 previously.
The start of more games on Monday nights began with a doubleheader in Week 2 of the 2022 season. The trend continued into 2023, which included a trio of games on the Christmas Day schedule in Week 16. This year, the pattern continues with four weeks designated for these doubleheaders.
The lineup includes matchups such as the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Commanders vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, both scheduled for the same night. Other notable games include the Tennessee Titans vs. the Miami Dolphins and the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Detroit Lions, both scheduled for September 30.
As the season progresses, more doubleheaders are planned, such as the Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a later game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. The second half of the season will culminate with the Chicago Bears meeting the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders hosting the Atlanta Falcons in mid-December.
The logistics of broadcasting these games are meticulously planned: several games air on ABC, ESPN, and, exclusively, on ESPN+ for some games, such as the Chargers-Cardinals game in Week 7.
This strategic programming approach not only maximizes viewer engagement by offering more content, but also leverages extensive media network partnerships to enhance the viewing experience, ensuring fans have access to more live football matches than ever before.
