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2d ago

Skydance Merger Preserves CBS Sports Focus as The NFL Today+ Prepares to Launch

David Berson clarified that the NFL’s equity in the newly merged Paramount venture is far below the 10% stake it will hold in ESPN.

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Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Courtesy: Derek Futterman, Sports Media Watch

Overview

  • The Skydance-led $8 billion merger with Paramount has closed with a directive for CBS Sports to preserve its existing strategy.
  • David Berson clarified that the NFL’s minority equity stake in Paramount via Skydance is far smaller than the 10 percent share anticipated for ESPN.
  • CBS will debut a streaming-only NFL pregame show called The NFL Today+ on Sept. 7 across Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ and the "NFL on CBS" YouTube channel.
  • Original host Brent Musburger will return for a 50th-anniversary throwback edition of The NFL Today on Sept. 21 featuring vintage graphics.
  • The network expects Nielsen’s new methodology incorporating linear and streaming data to lift NFL viewership in 2025 alongside marquee matchups including up to nine Kansas City Chiefs games.