Bears, Saints, SpongeBob? Family-friendly broadcast of NFL game will be a reality Sunday

CBS, Nickelodeon teaming up for simultaneous broadcast of Wild Card game

Stock image/Photo by Will Newton (Getty Images)

Watching an NFL playoff game might not be a typical family activity in your house, but CBS and Nickelodeon have unveiled a plan to try and change that -- at least for one game this Sunday.

The two networks are teaming up for a special simultaneous presentation of the 4:40 p.m. EST Wild Card game between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, which will be aimed to get adults and kids into the action.

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While CBS will televise the game and broadcast it in the traditional sense, Nickelodeon will also televise the game, but with more unconventional twists in an effort to appeal to kids.

There will be kid-focused content, elements and graphics throughout the game.

Oh, there will also be plenty of SpongeBob.

Nickelodeon’s pregame coverage will start at 4 p.m. EST with “The SpongBob SportsPants Countdown Special,” hosted by Super Bowl L MVP and current member of the Denver Broncos Von Miller.

The show will feature a compilation of SpongeBob’s best sports moments.

At halftime, Nickelodeon will show a sneak preview of a new upcoming series called “Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years,” which is set to debut later this year.

The show will feature a 10-year-old SpongeBob and his friends as they have various fun at a summer camp.

“This is a first-of-its-kind presentation for the NFL together with Nickelodeon, and we are very excited to create a unique telecast that will maximize the co-viewing appeal for kids and families, while maintaining the integrity of the game and its traditions,” said Sean McManus, the chairman of CBS Sports, in a statement. “Partnering with Nickelodeon to showcase the NFL playoffs is a great opportunity.”

If you can’t watch Nickelodeon’s version of the broadcast on TV, it can be streamed on mobile devices on the NFL App.

People can also go to NFLNickPlay.com for content leading up to and during the game. Examples of content include educating kids on football basics and engaging kids with quizzes, polls, facts, videos and information galleries.


About the Author:

Keith is a member of Graham Media Group's Digital Content Team, which produces content for all the company's news websites.