Manningcast
The ManningCast, officially titled Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, is an alternate telecast of select NFL Monday Night Football games, in which Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning provide informal commentary, analysis, and banter from a relaxed home setting, often joined by celebrity guests via video link.[1][2] The series debuted on September 13, 2021, during the season opener between the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens, airing simultaneously with the main ESPN broadcast on ESPN2 and the ESPN app.[3] Produced by ESPN in partnership with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions, the ManningCast quickly gained popularity for its unscripted, sibling-driven dynamic, drawing an average of 1.6 million viewers in its inaugural season[4] and earning a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Series in 2022.[5] As of the 2025 NFL season—its fifth—the ManningCast features 12 episodes, typically starting in Week 1 and spanning key matchups, with guests including actors, musicians, athletes, and coaches such as Bill Murray, Snoop Dogg, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Bill Belichick.[1][2] In April 2024, ESPN and Omaha Productions announced a nine-year extension, securing the format through the 2034 season and opening possibilities for similar alternate broadcasts in other sports like UFC and golf.[6]Concept and Format
Overview
The Manningcast is an alternate simulcast of ESPN's Monday Night Football, featuring commentary by former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning from a relaxed, couch-based setup.[7] Launched in 2021, it airs on ESPN2 with streaming availability on ESPN+.[8] The format centers on informal banter between the brothers, occasional celebrity guests, and an emphasis on storytelling and humor, eschewing traditional play-by-play analysis for a casual viewing vibe.[9] Peyton and Eli, Super Bowl champions with the Indianapolis Colts/Denver Broncos and New York Giants respectively, leverage their professional football backgrounds to provide unique insights.[10] Designed to appeal to younger viewers and cord-cutters seeking a less formal NFL experience, the broadcast expands audience engagement beyond conventional telecasts.[11] It originated from an initial three-year deal between the Mannings' Omaha Productions and ESPN (a Disney company).[12]Production Details
The Manningcast employs a remote production model where hosts Peyton and Eli Manning broadcast from separate home-based studios—Peyton from a warehouse setup near Denver, Colorado, and Eli from a dedicated studio in his New Jersey home—while the core production is managed from ESPN's control room in Bristol, Connecticut. This distributed setup allows the brothers to maintain a relaxed, at-home atmosphere, integrated seamlessly with the main Monday Night Football feed through high-speed fiber connections and real-time signal routing.[13][14][15] In Bristol, a crew of 7 to 12 staff members oversees key elements such as graphics insertion, audio mixing, and guest coordination, collaborating closely with the broader Monday Night Football production team. At each host's location, an additional team of about 10 ESPN personnel, including producers, directors, lighting specialists, and technical operators, supports on-site operations to ensure smooth execution. Guest integration relies on proprietary tools developed by ESPN and Omaha Productions, including video platforms like Zoom and FaceTime for remote appearances, with pre-broadcast tests to verify feeds and minimize disruptions.[13][16] The visual style emphasizes a casual, living room watch-party vibe, featuring the hosts on comfortable sofas surrounded by snacks and personal items, with minimal on-screen graphics to avoid interrupting the conversational flow. This approach, inspired by the Mannings' natural banter, uses simple camera angles and lighting to replicate an informal gathering rather than a traditional studio broadcast.[13][17] Audio and video synchronization with the primary Monday Night Football telecast is achieved through low-latency encoding and dedicated game feeds piped directly to the hosts' studios, enabling real-time reactions to plays as they unfold. In later seasons, innovations like the Augmented Reality Table—powered by Unreal Engine in partnership with NFL Next Gen Stats and Girraphic—allow hosts to overlay 3D player movements and annotations on live footage, enhancing analysis without disrupting the main broadcast's timing.[13][18][19] Production challenges include maintaining sub-second latency for synchronized live commentary across geographically dispersed sites, where even minor delays in video streaming can affect guest interactions, as seen in occasional technical glitches during high-profile appearances. Additionally, coordinating guest schedules across multiple time zones requires advance planning and flexible tech setups to accommodate remote participants from various locations without compromising the broadcast's pace.[13][20][21]Hosts and Guests
The Manning Brothers
Peyton Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion who led the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, transitioned into media production after retiring from the NFL in 2016.[22] He founded Omaha Productions in 2020, a company focused on creating sports-related content, including series like Peyton's Places on ESPN+, which has helped establish his post-playing career in broadcasting and entertainment.[23] Eli Manning, Peyton's younger brother and also a two-time Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, entered the Manningcast with limited prior media experience beyond occasional NFL Network appearances and charity events.[24] Known for his dry, understated humor—often described as a subtle, non-goofy wit that emerged more post-retirement—he brings a contrasting personality to the broadcast.[25] The brothers' on-air chemistry defines the Manningcast, rooted in their shared NFL upbringing as sons of former quarterback Archie Manning, where sibling rivalry fuels authentic banter and inside jokes about family football lore.[26] Peyton's analytical, detail-oriented style—emphasizing play breakdowns and strategic insights—complements Eli's more laid-back, humorous approach, creating a relaxed yet insightful dynamic that keeps conversations organic and engaging.[26] Their preparation emphasizes weekly game analysis over rigid scripting, with Peyton often sending Eli numerous voice memos outlining key points, allowing the broadcast to unfold naturally without a formal script.[27] This minimal structure highlights their brotherly needling, such as Eli gently ribbing Peyton's intensity, which coordinating producer Drew Gallagher credits for the show's unscripted appeal.[28] Personal touches infuse the Manningcast with family elements, including occasional appearances by their father Archie, who joined for a 2024 episode reminiscing about New Orleans Saints history, and Peyton's children, such as his son Marshall demonstrating pre-snap movements with friends in a 2023 segment.[29][30] Charitable tie-ins further personalize the show, with Eli featuring custom cleats designed for Tackle Kids Cancer during broadcasts to raise awareness, and Peyton wearing patient-designed cleats from Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indianapolis to support pediatric causes.[31][32] Their NFL careers as elite quarterbacks provide the foundational expertise for their commentary, enabling credible breakdowns of professional plays.Guest Appearances
The Manningcast features a diverse array of celebrity guests selected by the hosts, Peyton and Eli Manning, who prioritize individuals with a genuine passion for football to ensure the broadcast remains focused on the game rather than commercial promotions.[33] Guests typically include a mix of current and former NFL players, coaches, and celebrities from entertainment and other sports, such as actors, musicians, and athletes from leagues like the NBA. This selection process aims to blend expert insights with entertaining personalities, creating a conversational atmosphere that appeals to a broad audience.[34] Notable early guests exemplified this approach, with NFL stars like tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Russell Wilson appearing in the inaugural 2021 season to provide insider perspectives on gameplay.[35] High-profile figures such as retired quarterback Tom Brady and rapper Snoop Dogg joined in subsequent episodes, offering a combination of professional analysis and cultural crossover appeal.[35] By 2025, the guest pool expanded to include cross-sport icons like NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who brought non-NFL viewpoints to discussions on strategy and team dynamics.[36] Guests participate remotely via video feed, often from their homes or personal settings, engaging in lighthearted banter with the Mannings while sharing personal anecdotes and reacting to live plays.[17] This interaction style fosters an informal, podcast-like vibe, where guests contribute to breakdowns of formations or historical comparisons, occasionally using props like play diagrams to illustrate points.[17] The inclusion of star-powered guests has significantly enhanced the show's draw, leveraging celebrity appeal to attract casual viewers and sustain average audiences of around 1.3 million per telecast since its debut.[37] This star power not only boosts viewership but also introduces diverse perspectives, such as entertainment industry insights on fan culture or athletic strategies from other sports, enriching the football-centric dialogue.[38] Over the seasons, guest appearances have evolved toward greater variety, incorporating more high-profile entertainers. The format has included playoff broadcasts since January 2022, such as the wild-card game on January 13, 2025, featuring former coach Bill Belichick and ex-player Jared Allen for deeper postseason analysis.[39][40] While international guests remain rare, the format's growing emphasis on eclectic personalities has broadened its cultural reach. Notably, some appearances have fueled discussions around the so-called "Manning Curse," where teams of featured players often suffer subsequent losses, though this phenomenon is anecdotal.[35]Development and History
Inception
The inception of the Manningcast stemmed from the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated streaming trends and prompted networks like ESPN to experiment with innovative alternate telecasts to engage viewers in a fragmented media environment. Peyton Manning founded Omaha Productions in 2020 alongside Jamie Horowitz, shortly after his retirement from the NFL, with the company focusing on creating original sports content that blended entertainment and football analysis. This venture laid the groundwork for the Manningcast, as ESPN sought to leverage celebrity-driven formats to differentiate its Monday Night Football coverage amid rising competition from streaming platforms.[23][41] On July 19, 2021, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company announced a multiyear partnership with Omaha Productions, designating Peyton and Eli Manning to host an alternate broadcast for 10 Monday Night Football games during the inaugural 2021 season, with the agreement spanning three years. The Mannings, drawing on their NFL pedigrees as Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, aimed to deliver a relaxed, conversational commentary style that prioritized fun and authenticity over conventional analysis, inspired by their shared desire to make football viewing more entertaining. ESPN, in turn, targeted a younger demographic, particularly viewers aged 18-34, by offering this casual alternative to appeal to cord-cutters and social media-savvy fans seeking less formal sports programming.[42][17][19] Early planning emphasized a home-like production to foster natural banter, with the set design modeled after family watch parties—the brothers broadcast from Eli's New Jersey basement on a blue couch and Peyton's setup in a Denver garage with a leather chair, avoiding studio formality to mimic casual gatherings. Development included pilot testing to refine the remote format, guest integration, and technical logistics, culminating in the selection of the season-opening Ravens-Raiders game on September 13, 2021, as the debut. Initial challenges arose during the first episode, including technical glitches, as the team adapted to the demands of live, multi-location broadcasting while maintaining the unscripted flow central to the concept.[17][7]Expansion and Evolution
Following its debut in 2021 with 10 regular-season games, the Manningcast expanded its schedule incrementally, maintaining 10 games in 2022 before increasing to 11 in both 2023 and 2024, and reaching 12 in 2025. This growth included the show's first playoff broadcast during the 2022 postseason Wild Card round on January 16, 2023, featuring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the Dallas Cowboys.[43] By the end of the 2025 season, the series surpassed 50 total episodes, reflecting its sustained popularity and production stability.[44] Multiple Sports Emmy Awards further marked key milestones, with the show earning Outstanding Live Series honors in 2022 and 2024, while Peyton Manning received the Outstanding Sports Personality/Sports Event Analyst award in 2023 and 2024, influencing ongoing refinements to the format.[45] Format evolutions enhanced viewer engagement over time, beginning with the introduction of an Augmented Reality (AR) Table in 2023, which allowed Peyton Manning to overlay real-time 3D play projections and annotations directly onto the broadcast for interactive analysis.[18] Subsequent seasons built on this by incorporating Peyton's interactive Whiteboard for on-the-fly breakdowns, evolving into more fan-focused elements in 2025, such as viewer predictions and enhanced guest integrations.[46] Guest appearances also adapted to a hybrid model by 2025, blending in-person studio visits with remote connections to accommodate high-profile participants across locations.[1] In 2022, ESPN and Disney expanded their partnership with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions beyond the original 2021 three-year deal, committing to develop Manningcast-style alternate broadcasts for other sports while extending the NFL series through 2024.[47] Omaha Productions played a central role in content creation, handling production logistics, guest curation, and innovative segments that defined the show's casual, conversational tone.[6] This collaboration culminated in a nine-year extension announced in 2024, securing the Manningcast through 2034 and underscoring its integration into ESPN's broader multimedia strategy.[12] Production challenges were addressed iteratively, including efforts to mitigate audio and video sync delays that arose from the alternate stream's technical demands, particularly during high-profile guest segments in 2024.[20] Availability also grew through streaming expansions, with episodes accessible via the ESPN app and NFL+ for broader domestic reach, alongside select international distribution on platforms like NFL Game Pass in key markets.[48]Broadcast Seasons
Series Overview
The Manningcast, an alternate broadcast of select Monday Night Football games, has aired across five seasons since its debut in 2021, featuring the Manning brothers providing commentary alongside celebrity guests. The series typically covers 9 to 12 regular-season games per year, with occasional extensions to playoff matchups, and has broadcast a total of over 50 episodes by the conclusion of the 2025 season. Episodes are produced in a virtual studio setup and align with the primary ESPN Monday Night Football slate, though NFL flex scheduling can influence final selections. All broadcasts are available on ESPN2 for television viewers and streamed via ESPN+ for domestic and international audiences, including regions in Europe, Latin America, and Australia.[1][2] Each episode runs approximately 3 hours, matching the duration of standard NFL prime-time games from kickoff through postgame analysis. Viewership has averaged 1.3 million per telecast across all seasons, with debut-year episodes in 2021 drawing an initial average of around 1.6 million and subsequent playoff broadcasts often peaking higher due to heightened audience interest in postseason stakes. The format maintains consistency with interactive elements like augmented reality graphics, introduced in later seasons to enhance visual breakdowns of plays and player stats.[44][49][50]| Season | Year | Episode Count | Broadcast Details | Average Viewers (millions) | Notable Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021 | 10 (all regular season) | ESPN2/ESPN+; debuted September 13 | 1.6 | Series launch; record-breaking alternate broadcast averages for ESPN[49] |
| 2 | 2022 | 10 (9 regular + 1 Wild Card playoff) | ESPN2/ESPN+; expanded to include postseason debut | ~1.5 | First playoff episode (Buccaneers vs. Cowboys); surpassed 20 total episodes[51][43] |
| 3 | 2023 | 10 (9 regular + 1 Wild Card playoff) | ESPN2/ESPN+; international streaming via ESPN+ in 200+ countries | ~1.4 | Continued guest variety; AR tech integration for play visualization begins[52][53] |
| 4 | 2024 | 12 (11 regular + 1 Wild Card playoff) | ESPN2/ESPN+; added NFL+ streaming option | ~1.3 | Featured recurring guest Bill Belichick; total episodes exceed 40[54][55] |
| 5 | 2025 | 12 (all regular season; ongoing) | ESPN2/ESPN+; 12-game slate announced pre-season | ~1.3 (projected) | Surpasses 50 total episodes; enhanced AR and guest interaction tools[1][2][48] |
Season 1 (2021)
The inaugural season of the Manningcast featured 10 episodes broadcast during the 2021 NFL regular season, serving as a proof-of-concept for the alternate presentation format without coverage of playoff games.[56][57]| Episode | Date | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 13, 2021 | Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders[42] |
| 2 | September 20, 2021 | Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers[42] |
| 3 | September 27, 2021 | Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys[42] |
| 4 | October 25, 2021 | Seattle Seahawks at New Orleans Saints[56] |
| 5 | November 1, 2021 | Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants[56] |
| 6 | November 15, 2021 | San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams[56] |
| 7 | November 22, 2021 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants[56] |
| 8 | December 6, 2021 | Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots[56] |
| 9 | December 13, 2021 | Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals[57] |
| 10 | January 3, 2022 | Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers[58] |
Season 2 (2022)
The second season of the Manningcast premiered on September 12, 2022, with the Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks matchup, marking a continuation and expansion from the inaugural year by including ten regular-season games and one playoff broadcast.[51] This season represented the first time the format extended into the postseason, featuring the NFC wild-card game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys on January 16, 2023.[62] The full slate spanned from early September to mid-January, with episodes airing on ESPN2 and select games also available on ESPN+.[63] The season's schedule included the following games:| Week | Date | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 12, 2022 | Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks |
| 3 | September 26, 2022 | Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants |
| 4 | October 3, 2022 | Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers |
| 7 | October 24, 2022 | Chicago Bears at New England Patriots |
| 8 | October 31, 2022 | Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns |
| 9 | November 7, 2022 | Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings |
| 13 | December 5, 2022 | New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 14 | December 12, 2022 | New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals |
| 15 | December 19, 2022 | Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams |
| Wild Card | January 16, 2023 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys |
Season 3 (2023)
The third season of the Manningcast aired from September 11, 2023, to January 15, 2024, covering 11 episodes that included 10 regular-season Monday Night Football games and one Wild Card playoff matchup.[52] The season began with the Buffalo Bills versus New York Jets on September 11, followed by Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants on October 2, Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders on October 9, San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings on October 23, Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers on November 6, Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills on November 13, Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs on November 20, Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars on December 4, a doubleheader of Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers at New York Giants on December 11, Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys on December 18, and concluding with the NFC Wild Card game of Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys on January 15.[52][69] Among these, the December 4 episode marked the first international broadcast focus, originating from Munich, Germany, for the NFL's inaugural game on the continent.[70] Key highlights included innovative production elements and high-profile guests, with the season introducing the Augmented Reality (AR) Table for enhanced replay analysis, allowing Peyton and Eli Manning to overlay 3D visualizations on plays in real time for more interactive breakdowns.[18] Guests featured a mix of NFL figures and celebrities, such as Patrick Mahomes during the November 13 Broncos-Bills game, where discussions touched on emerging off-field storylines involving teammate Travis Kelce before his high-profile romance gained widespread attention later in the season.[71] Other notable appearances included Michael Strahan and Snoop Dogg on the season opener, and Mark Wahlberg joining for the Eagles-Chiefs rematch.[52] Viewership remained steady, averaging 1.4 million viewers across the season on ESPN2, a 6% increase from the prior year's comparable episodes, with particular boosts during Chiefs-involved games like the November 20 matchup that drew elevated interest as a Super Bowl LVII rematch.[72] The season emphasized unique aspects such as mid-series adjustments to production, including greater promotion of streaming options via ESPN+ for broader accessibility, while addressing ongoing "Manningcast curse" narratives from prior years through lighthearted on-air acknowledgments and humor to dispel superstitions about teams losing after appearances.[70] Family-oriented segments increased, featuring more cameos from the extended Manning family for comedic interludes that highlighted brotherly banter and generational football insights.[73] Notable moments included the Eagles-Chiefs game on November 20, which served as an early Super Bowl preview with Philadelphia's 21-17 victory, amplified by guests like Wahlberg and Caitlin Clark contributing to lively predictions and reactions.[74] Humorous Manning family segments, such as Peyton demonstrating quarterback cadences to Eli during the Packers-Raiders episode, added levity and underscored the show's blend of analysis and entertainment.[75]Season 4 (2024)
The fourth season of the Manningcast premiered on September 9, 2024, with the New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers matchup, and concluded with a playoff Wild Card game on January 13, 2025, featuring the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Minnesota Vikings.[76] The season covered 11 regular-season games across 11 weeks, including a doubleheader in Week 7, plus the single postseason episode, for a total of 12 episodes, all broadcast on ESPN2 and available via streaming on the ESPN app.[77]| Week | Date | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 9, 2024 | New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers | ESPN2 |
| 2 | Sept. 16, 2024 | Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles | ESPN2 |
| 5 | Oct. 7, 2024 | New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs | ESPN2 |
| 6 | Oct. 14, 2024 | Buffalo Bills at New York Jets | ESPN |
| 7 | Oct. 21, 2024 | Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ESPN2 |
| 7 (alternate) | Oct. 21, 2024 | Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals | ESPN+ |
| 8 | Oct. 28, 2024 | New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers | ESPN2 |
| 9 | Nov. 4, 2024 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs | ESPN2 |
| 11 | Nov. 18, 2024 | Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys | ESPN2 |
| 12 | Nov. 25, 2024 | Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers | ESPN2 |
| 14 | Dec. 9, 2024 | Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys | ESPN2 |
| Wild Card | Jan. 13, 2025 | Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams | ESPN2 |