ABC selects the NFL Draft

Disney is stepping up its game with the NFL, announcing – for the first time in its history – that ABC will now carry all three days of the 2019 NFL Draft, including two nights of primetime coverage as part of the company’s coverage of the event. ABC will be the exclusive broadcast home of the event and will produce its own distinct telecast for the ABC audience, separate from ESPN and NFL Network, during the first two nights of coverage. For the second straight year, ABC will simulcast ESPN’s presentation on Day 3. The prime-time draft specials on ABC will be anchored by ESPN’s College GameDay and feature ESPN and ABC personalities and other special guests as part of the multi-night ABC presentation. The 2019 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.

“ESPN is constantly seeking opportunities to innovate and expand our coverage of major events and the NFL Draft is a perfect example of that. There is no better way to celebrate 40 years of working with the NFL to grow the Draft than to bring the considerable assets of The Walt Disney Company to Nashville,” said ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro. “With ESPN networks and platforms, and the addition of ABC as the exclusive broadcast home to the Draft, we will bring more resources than ever before as we introduce fans to the next generation of NFL players.”

ESPN, which has presented the annual NFL Draft since 1980, will continue to offer a traditional X’s and O’s football analysis-themed production.

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