The longest-running ratings streak in television history began with a 15-minute show
In short: Before it was a multi-hour production with high-tech studios, The NFL Today was a mere 15-minute regional program. The show eventually achieved an 18-year streak as the most-watched broadcast in its slot, setting a broadcast milestone that transformed how networks presented live athletics.
The program debuted on September 15, 1961, as 'Pro Football Kickoff.' It was a pioneer in network sports, serving as the first remote 15-minute pre-game show on television. Originally hosted by Johnny Lujack, it focused on providing a comprehensive look at the day's games from various stadiums across the country. By 1964, it was renamed 'NFL Report' and eventually became 'The NFL Today,' initially remaining a short, regional format. The show underwent a massive structural evolution in 1974. CBS abandoned pre-recorded segments for a live, wraparound style titled 'The NFL on CBS.' This shift introduced a three-segment format: highlights and commentary, special features, and sports news.
This period witnessed the production pioneer multiple milestones, such as debuting as a live pre-game broadcast, introducing highlights from other games at halftime, and establishing a post-game summary format. The program's most dominant era began in 1975 with host Brent Musburger and analyst Irv Cross. Throughout these years, it kept the longest continuous tenure for a show in a fixed slot, topping the ratings for 18 years before the network's rights moved to Fox in 1994. The show also introduced signature musical pieces, specifically 'Horizontal Hold' by Jan Stoeckart, which became a staple of the broadcast experience.
The program has survived multiple rights shifts and reboots. After a hiatus following the 1993 rights loss, it returned in 1998 with Jim Nantz as host. It has since moved between studios, including a notable period where it was broadcast from an outdoor plaza near the General Motors Building in Manhattan, and has constantly evolved its analyst roster to include figures like Russell Wilson and Kyle Long.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The NFL Today
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