NBC’s Football Night in America, the pregame show for Sunday Night Football, is set for sweeping changes this season. The updates were announced on Sunday night, including the addition of Mike Tomlin, former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to the broadcast team.
Another key change: the show will now go on the road every week. This follows a trend from last year, when Football Night in America broadcasted live from stadiums in Philadelphia (Week 1 and 11), Dallas (Week 4), Pittsburgh (Weeks 8 and 18). That marked the highest number of on-site programs in the show’s 20-year history.
This season, the road schedule expands to 18 weeks, plus the Week 1 Wednesday night game in Seattle.
The host of the show, who has covered Football Night in America from NBC studios in New York (2010–2013) and Connecticut (2014–present), will now split time between stadiums and home. The decision will be based largely on travel logistics and the significance of each game.
For example, trips to California are being reconsidered due to the early morning show times. A 7:00 a.m. ET broadcast would require a 4:00 a.m. PT appearance for West Coast contributors like Myles Simmons.
Travel from West Virginia to nearby cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Buffalo, and Detroit will be manageable by car. Longer trips may involve direct flights from Pittsburgh, keeping travel time comparable to previous Connecticut-based commutes.
The shift will allow for more content creation on non-travel weekends. The host plans to produce weekly #PFTPM episodes on Saturday nights and post-game videos on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. ET. Mondays, traditionally spent traveling, will now be dedicated to content production without the rush of airports and flights.
While the host admits, “
Would I prefer to be with the rest of the team every week? Yes. But it doesn't make sense to hopscotch around the country for 18 straight weeks.” The new approach aims to improve physical and mental well-being, benefit NBC’s production, and ultimately deliver more consistent content for viewers.
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