CBS Wins Thursday Night Football Bid

The NFL has announced that CBS has won the bidding for the NFL Network's Thursday Night Football package.  CBS will produce 16 games this season with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms calling all of the games throughout the season.  CBS and NFLN will simulcast an early slate of eight games, followed by NFLN airing 8 more games late into the season.  This also includes the return of Saturday night Football, as NFLN will air two late December games.  NFL and CBS will use talent from both networks on Thursday pregame & post game coverage.  Per John Ourand at Sports Business Daily, the winning bid was estimated above $200 million for the 2014 season, with a league option for 2015.

The Details are still being worked out, so there is no word on what other talent will be used, how this will effect CBS programming, including their top rated comedy The Big Bang Theory and what class of games will be scheduled.

***UPDATE*** Two items of note, the league announced Week 16 will feature the Saturday doubleheader, CBS will delays the premiere of its Thursdays programming until November 6th.  The first game on CBS will air Week 2, Thursday, September 11th.

2014 NFL Schedule Breakdown: Thursday Night

NBC 

• NFL Kickoff Opener; Thanksgiving Classic (Prime time)

CBS 

• Eight (8) regular season Thursday Night Football (early schedule)
• Produced by CBS and simulcasted on NFL Network
• CBS & NFLN talent will work on telecasts.

NFL Network 

• Eight (8) regular season games.  
• Six (6) Thursday Night Football (late schedule)
• Two (2) Saturday Night games in late December
• Telecasts produced by CBS, but air only on NFL Network.  
• CBS & NFLN talent will work on telecasts