KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – The iconic Madden video game franchise, known for being one of the best-selling sports video games in history, is embarking on a new venture by introducing an alternate broadcast experience. NBC Sports and Peacock have partnered with the NFL, EA Sports, and Genius Sports to present the “EA SPORTS Madden NFL Cast” during the Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs game on December 21 at 1 p.m. ET. This innovative alt-cast will exclusively stream on Peacock, while the game will air on both NBC and Peacock simultaneously.
The Madden NFL Cast will seamlessly combine elements from the video game with live action, incorporating animated overlays featuring Madden NFL’s brand elements such as graphics, route trees, play cards, and player ratings. The alt-cast will feature a dedicated commentary team led by play-by-play announcer Paul Burmeister, former NFL quarterback and YouTuber Kurt Benkert providing analysis through graphic overlays, and six-time Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco serving as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.”
Additionally, Henry Leverette, a Madden expert who won the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship ring and is the first player in Madden NFL Championship Series history to earn over $1 million, will also be part of the broadcast team. The production of the Madden NFL Cast will be overseen by Steve Greenberg and directed by Geoff Butler. NBC Sports’ executive producer of NFL, Fred Gaudelli, expressed excitement about the groundbreaking nature of this first-ever Madden NFL Cast, which marks a significant moment for Peacock as its inaugural sports alt-cast.
It is important to note that the execution of the Madden NFL Cast is contingent on weather conditions due to the visibility required for the overlays, route trees, and graphics to display properly. For instance, if heavy snow covers the field in Kansas City on game day, there is a possibility that these visual elements may not be as effective. Both the Texans and Chiefs teams boast impressive Madden ratings, with 11 players on their rosters featuring ratings above 90, including standout players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce from the Chiefs, who were part of the elite “Madden 99 Club” at the start of this NFL season.
In conclusion, the upcoming Madden NFL Cast promises to offer viewers a unique and immersive viewing experience that blends traditional sports broadcasting with cutting-edge video game elements. With a talented commentary team and engaging features, this innovative broadcast is poised to redefine the way fans engage with and experience football games.