Disney is taking a strategy that lent it a boost during the recent Hollywood labor strikes and working to apply it to its normal course of business.
The company intends to simulcast six broadcasts of “Monday Night Football,” typically a mainstay of ESPN, on the ABC broadcast network, a move that imay generate broader viewership of the games and deliver bigger ratings than the outlet’s usual Monday night fare, which had been expected to consist of reality programming and game shows, including “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.” Even a Wednesday-night offering, “Scamanda,” will be moved. Now, ABC will run “Monday Night Football” on October 14 and 21; November 4, 18 and 25; and December 23 — all in addition to eight regular or post-season games that were expected to be televised on the network.
Last fall, Disney and the NFL agreed to do ten extra simulcasts on ABC, a move that would protect the network against viewership shortfalls caused by its lack of programming due to strikes by writers and actors. This year, the league and the media giant appear to have come to similar terms — even without a labor shortage causing concern. The NFL approved of the scheduling changes, which are only in effect for the current TV season.
