NFL fans in the UK have been dealt a blow as the new season kicks off, with news there will be no main highlights programme on free to air television in 2024.
It will be seen as a loss by many fans, especially as there used to be TWO highlights programmes every week on the BBC.
The NFL Show was presented by Laura Woods in the 2022 season, alongside the popular double act of former NFL stars Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell.
Craig Doyle took over presenting duties for the 2023 season.
The show, which aired after 11pm on a Friday night, would have remained the main way many NFL fans in the UK caught up with the weekly action.
There will be two London games shown live on ITV this season, both of them in October.
And February's Super Bowl in New Orleans will also be broadcast live on the channel.
But the staple of recent seasons has been the highlights programme.
The BBC showed highlights for a number of years, with their programmes initially presented by Mark Chapman and then Dan Walker.
For some time, their shows were on twice a week, on Tuesday nights and then late on Saturday after Match of the Day.
The programmes often attracted strong viewing figures, including on catch up services, as the sport continues to increase in popularity in the UK.
NFL UK & Ireland confirmed the news that there would be no weekly show on ITV this season.
But there will be weekly streaming highlights and recap shows on YouTube.
UK fans can also catch full games, game highlights and condensed versions via NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
The NFL previously agreed a three-year broadcast deal with ITV in 2022, moving some of its free-to-air rights to the commercial broadcaster from the BBC.
The 2024 Season Kicks Off
The 2024 season finally kicks off on Thursday night, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chiefs are aiming to make NFL history and win the Super Bowl for the third year in a row.
The action switches to Sao Paulo in Brazil on Friday, with the Green Bay Packers meeting the Philadelphia Eagles.
A Major Setback for NFL Fans in the UK
Fans of American football have been dealt a major blow ahead of the new season as there will be no main highlights program on free-to-air television in 2024.
The NFL gets back underway on the 6th of September, with the Kansas City Chiefs starting their defense of the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chiefs will be looking to win their fifth Super Bowl in 2025, with Patrick Mahomes aiming to continue his already outstanding legacy by adding a fourth Super Bowl ring to his collection.
An ITV spokesperson said via The Sun: "There are no current plans for ITV to air The NFL Show for the upcoming season but ITV will continue our relationship with the NFL and broadcast live fixtures."
The popular highlights show has acted as a version of BBC's Match of the Day for American football fans for the past two seasons.
Popular sports presenter Laura Woods originally hosted the show when it was introduced in 2022 but the former talkSPORT host was replaced with Craig Doyle for last season's coverage.
Fans in the UK are now left with no way to watch the NFL through terrestrial tele, which will come as a major blow particularly considering the BBC used to offer a highlights program twice a week hosted by Mark Chapman and Dan Walker.
UK fans won't be completely starved of the action with highlights being posted weekly to YouTube.
As mentioned in the ITV statement, there will be live NFL shown on the channel which include the two UK-based matches, which will take place in October, as well as the Super Bowl final in February.
What This Means for NFL Fans in the UK
The absence of a free-to-air highlights show could have a significant impact on the growth of the NFL's fanbase in the UK. While there are options for fans to catch the action through streaming services, these often come at a cost, potentially limiting access for casual viewers. This could potentially impact the sport's increasing popularity in the UK, as the convenience of free-to-air television played a crucial role in drawing new fans.
The shift away from free-to-air highlights also highlights a broader trend in the media landscape. As streaming services become increasingly dominant, traditional broadcasters are facing pressure to adapt and find new ways to attract viewers. The NFL's decision to prioritize streaming highlights over free-to-air options is a sign of this changing media environment and could have implications for other sports in the future.
The Future of NFL Coverage in the UK
While the news of the cancellation of the NFL Show might come as a disappointment to some fans, it is important to remember that the sport is still growing in popularity in the UK. With the NFL focusing on streaming services and live broadcasts, the future of NFL coverage in the UK is likely to be heavily reliant on digital platforms. This presents both opportunities and challenges for fans. While it could lead to greater access to content and more innovative forms of coverage, it also raises concerns about the cost of access and potential barriers for those who cannot afford subscriptions.
The NFL's commitment to broadcasting live games on ITV suggests that the sport remains committed to the UK market. However, the future of highlights coverage is uncertain, with streaming services poised to play a larger role. It remains to be seen whether this shift will ultimately benefit or hinder the growth of the NFL's fanbase in the UK.
