ESPN’s coverage of the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T (Monday, Jan. 12, at 8:30 p.m. ET) will be the network’s biggest production to date with multiple viewing options via the “CFP Megacast.” ESPN’s first and only other Megacast production featured the final BCS National Championship last season.
This season’s Megacast of the title game (matching the winners of the New Year’s Day semifinals on ESPN: No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State at 5 p.m. ET and No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State at 8:30 p.m.) will include a different production on every ESPN television network (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and possibly SEC Network), multiple options on ESPN3, and the game coverage on ESPN Radio and ESPN International.
Traditional game coverage will be available on ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN International networks and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. Details and network assignments are still being finalized for additional Megacast concepts but currently include:
- “Film Room” will feature ESPN experts as well as guest coaches and players providing in-depth X and O analysis of the game as it happens from a film room equipped with multiple camera angles and touchscreens at ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. headquarters.
- “ESPN Voices” will allow fans to eavesdrop on multiple ESPN on-air personalities representing a wide cross-section of sports and shows discussing the game. On-screen graphics will incorporate game statistics and information.
- “Off the Ball” will give viewers an inside look at the way former players and coaches – and current ESPN analysts – look at the plays away from the ball, including in the trenches of the offensive and defensive lines, the wide receiver vs. defensive back matchups, coaching strategy and more.
- “Sounds of the Game” will feature only the natural sounds of the game and coverage of the halftime performances by each band.
- “Command Center” will provide enhanced statistics utilizing a split screen application with live game action and immediate replays of every play. The coverage will use the ESPN Radio broadcast call.
- “Data Center” will offer significant on-screen graphic content ranging from analytics, curated social media reaction and more.
- Fans will be able to watch the entire game from the above stadium “SpiderCam” angle.
- “Taco Bell Student Section” will feature a camera in the student section of each team to showcase how the most enthusiastic fans in the building are living and dying with every play.
- ESPN will use also use its various social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter within the coverage. Potential content includes behind-the-scenes insights, statistics and information, interaction with fans, and more.
Additional viewing options, including an SEC Network Megacast production if Alabama reaches the title game, are to be determined.
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