‘Nick-ified’ graphics, augmented reality and cartoon characters from Paramount’s portfolio will all play a role in NFL broadcast.
Paramount-owned CBS Sports and Nickelodeon are working together to air a SpongeBob Squarepants-themed alternative broadcast of the National Football League (NFL) wildcard playoff game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans.
Confirmed:
- Alt-cast will feature ‘Nick-ified’ graphics, advanced augmented reality and appearances by characters from across Paramount’s portfolio of cartoons, including Transformers, Sonic the Hedgehog, Hey Arnold, CatDog and Rugrats
- An animated SpongeBob Squarepants and Patrick Star will commentate on the game alongside CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson, Nickelodeon sideline reporter Dylan Schefter, and cartoon characters Sandy Cheeks and Dora the Explorer
- SpongeBob-themed broadcast will air on Paramount+, CBS Sports app and NFL digital properties, as well as on mobile via NFL+
Context:
The SpongeBob-themed broadcast will be the sixth time CBS Sports and Nickelodeon have collaborated on an NFL game and the third time they have worked together for a wildcard fixture.
Alt-casts featuring cartoon characters and other animated features have become increasingly common in US sports broadcasting as leagues and their media partners seek to reach younger audiences.
In December, for example, NBC partnered with Genius Sports and EA Sports to create a simulcast of its coverage of the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. The ‘EA Sports Madden NFL Cast’ combined real-time data from Next Gen Stats with fully branded animations powered by the Madden game engine.
Coming next:
The SpongeBob-themed telecast will air on 21st January.
Credit: https://www.sportspro.com/news/chargers-texans-cbs-spongebob-broadcast-nfl-wildcard-january-2025