Marvin France Manning Cast offers new approach to NFL

Finds an alternative broadcast which has proven to be a huge hit in the US.

As new technology gives people more control over their TV experience, and broadcasters look for new ways to engage audiences, alternative commentaries are popping up more and more.

Indeed, New Zealand has a relatively successful version through The Alternative Commentary Collective. But for the most part, they still seem quite niche, which could be argued is exactly their purpose.

But one alternative broadcast in the US has bucked that trend to be a ratings winner, and has experts wondering if it might be a model for the future.

‘Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli’, also known as the ‘Manning Cast’, is as much a talk show as it is an American football broadcast.

Airing on ESPN 2 in New Zealand simultaneously with the main broadcast of Monday Night Football, it basically centres on legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and his fellow Super Bowl-champion brother Eli chatting about the game – when they are not ripping each other – with various guests. Similar to how you would watch sports at home, if your guests were Kevin Hart, LeBron James, John Stewart or other A-list celebrities.

They don’t do play-by-play commentary, though few can break down an NFL game in plain English better than Peyton. And if you want to stay locked in the flow of the game, I would suggest sticking with the main broadcast.

But the pair seem to have struck the right balance between football and entertainment to lure in a different audience, while keeping things interesting when the action on the field is not. It’s shown in the ratings, jumping from 800,000 viewers in the season-opener to close to two million for recent shows.

The Mannings were already instantly recognisable in the US thanks to their high-profile playing careers, not to mention the ready-made chemistry they brought to the table as brothers. Peyton, in particular, was always regarded as TV gold.

The next Manning Cast is on Tuesday 2.15pm (NZ time) on ESPN, Patriots v Bills