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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Seth Palansky, NFL Network, 212/450-2422
NFL
STARS TO TAKE OVER NFL TOTAL ACCESS…
CURRENT NFL PLAYERS WILL HANDLE ON-AIR
DUTIES NFL Network is handing over its signature show NFL Total Access for one week to the players it routinely covers. Beginning Tuesday, July 6 at 7:00 PM ET through Friday, July 9 at 7:00 PM ET/PT, NFL players will have free reign inside NFL Total Access’ 11,000 square-foot Los Angeles studio. In another NFL Network first, a group of NFL players will take control of the set, remove host Rich Eisen and conduct all on-air duties required in a show being dubbed “Players Only.” They will serve as hosts, interviewers and also help determine the show’s content and structure – without the aide of a professional broadcaster. Plus, they will preview all eight divisions. Jerome Bettis (Steelers), Dhani Jones (Eagles), Willie McGinest (Patriots), Tony Parrish (49ers), Curtis Conway (49ers), DeShaun Foster (Panthers), Marcellus Wiley (Cowboys), Chris Claiborne (Vikings) and T.J. Duckett (Falcons) are among the players who will replace their helmets and pads with suits and teleprompters to host and produce NFL Total Access. “It will be Players TV,” said Eric Weinberger, coordinating producer of NFL Total Access. “We have such a tremendous respect for the athletes we cover and now we are passing creative control of the show over to them for a unique experiment.” The idea came about as a result of players serving as guest hosts for a week each throughout the offseason. Weinberger and his staff were amazed at the interest and eagerness of the players in learning about television production. “We believe these shows will be enjoyable to the viewer and at the same time provide valuable insight for the player,” said Weinberger. “This experience will give players a perspective that will benefit them and the media that covers them.” In addition to their on-air personas, viewers will also go behind-the-scenes to see these NFL stars attending pre-show meetings and practicing lines for each night’s program. NFL Network is carried is seen in more than 14 million homes, including across DirecTV’s entire national footprint on Channel 212. NFL Network is also available on Voom satellite service on Channel 312 as well as on cable via Charter Communications and Insight Communications. To get NFL Network, call 866-NFL-NETWORK. Airing seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis, NFL Network is the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/home |