BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Get ready for a unique twist on “Monday Night Football” as Bart and Homer Simpson join the action! This year’s special telecast will feature the highly anticipated game on December 9, pitting the Cincinnati Bengals against the Dallas Cowboys, live from Atoms Stadium in Springfield.
The innovative broadcast, titled “The Simpsons Funday Football,” will be accessible via ESPN+ and Disney+, while the traditional coverage remains available on ESPN and ABC. This marks the second consecutive year that ESPN has rolled out an alternate broadcast format for an NFL game.
In a move reminiscent of last year’s creative approach, which utilized characters from “Toy Story” for a matchup in London between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars, this new telecast will bring beloved “The Simpsons” characters to the forefront. Bart Simpson will cheer on the Bengals, while Homer Simpson will be representing the Cowboys. Fans can also look forward to appearances from other notable characters, such as Marge, Lisa, and Maggie.
Adding to the excitement, producers of “The Simpsons” are working on original content that will be featured before, during, and after the game, ensuring that fans receive a rich viewing experience.
ESPN has experienced notable success with alternate NFL broadcasts, including the popular “ManningCast” during “Monday Night Football” and various playoff games. This animated telecast promises to keep viewers entertained while highlighting real-time game action.
For this unique airing, the animation will be synchronized with the actual movements of the players on the field, thanks to advanced player-tracking technology powered by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats and Beyond Sports, a Netherlands-based company. Beyond Sports will focus on animating the players and ensuring that the tracking data integrates seamlessly with the animated broadcast.
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