{
  "id": 13718891,
  "title": "ESPN reveals full altcast plans for Super Bowl LXI, including first-ever Super Bowl telecast on NFL Network",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/espn-reveals-full-altcast-plans-for-super-bowl-lxi-including-first",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T13:00:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/espn-reveals-full-altcast-plans-130007338.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ESPN has unveiled its comprehensive alternate telecast strategy for the upcoming Super Bowl LXI, set to air in February. This marks the first time the NFL Network, owned and operated by ESPN, will broadcast a live Super Bowl. ESPN will utilize a variety of networks, including ESPN2, ABC, ESPN, ESPNU, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, Disney+, and TelevisaUnivision, for its alternate broadcasts.\n\nTraditionally, ESPN2 and ABC will host the ManningCast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning, while Pat McAfee will provide alternate coverage on ESPNU. However, for Super Bowl LXI, McAfee's Field Pass will be shifted to ESPNU. This is ESPN's first foray into live broadcasting the Super Bowl on the NFL Network, a network that has been in operation for 23 years.\n\nThe NFL Network's Next Gen Stats altcast will feature predictive analysis using NFL tracking data, providing real-time player overlays to indicate run-pass, blitz, and target probabilities. This altcast will also appear during the regular season as a supplement to Monday Night Football. The first of nine altcasts will debut this Monday for the Buffalo Bills-Los Angeles Rams game, with all subsequent broadcasts airing on the NFL Network.\n\nField Yates, Chase Daniel, Louis Riddick, and Seth Walder will form the cast for the inaugural Next Gen Stats broadcast. While ESPN notes that the lineup will rotate throughout the year, the specific team will be announced later in the season. Pat McAfee's existing Field Pass altcasts will commence on October 19 for the Washington Commanders-San Francisco 49ers game, airing on ESPN2 during weeks when the ManningCast is not in operation. Dan Orlovsky and Darius Butler will join McAfee on the field, while McAfee Show regulars Connor Campbell, Ty Schmit, and Tone Digs will call the game from an in-stadium suite.",
  "summary": "ESPN will be utilizing nearly every network in its arsenal for Super Bowl LXI in February. On Sunday morning, ESPN announced its full alternate telecast plans for the network’s first-ever Super Bowl. As previously announced, the ManningCast with Peyton and Eli Manning will occupy ESPN2 while Joe Buck and Troy Aikman call the traditional telecast…",
  "key_points": [
    "ESPN unveils full altcast strategy for Super Bowl LXI",
    "NFL Network broadcasts first-ever live Super Bowl",
    "Pat McAfee's Field Pass moves to ESPNU for LXI"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}