The 2018 NFL Draft is two and a half months away, but you can already prepare yourself for an expanded viewing opportunity. FOX Sports recently purchased the rights to Thursday Night Football, and it turns out their purchase price included the rights to simulcast NFL Network’s draft coverage, according to Pro Football Talk.
The Draft has aired on ESPN since 1980, and on NFL Network since 2006. NFL Network is a premium cable channel, and so if you have basic cable, you likely are not receiving it. Simulcasting their coverage on FOX will provide a chance to expand their ratings even further.
FOX is expected to simulcast the first two days, which covers the first three rounds. However, FOX has commitments on Saturday they might not be able to move for the final four rounds, according to Sports Business Journal reporter John Ourand.
Both ESPN and NFL Network have their good and bad when it comes to draft coverage. I’m a bigger fan of Mike Mayock than I am of Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. I think Rich Eisen and Trey Wingo are both really solid hosts, and both networks have their good and bad when it comes to ex-players and reporters. Preferring Mayock over Kiper and McShay is the difference-maker for me.