{"id":2110,"date":"2026-01-19T18:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T18:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/?p=2110"},"modified":"2026-01-19T18:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T18:16:13","slug":"disneys-big-play-espn-and-abc-hypes-first-ever-super-bowl-broadcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/disneys-big-play-espn-and-abc-hypes-first-ever-super-bowl-broadcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney&#8217;s Big Play: ESPN and ABC Hypes First-Ever Super Bowl Broadcast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>ESPN and ABC have released their inaugural promotional video for Super Bowl LXI, set to take place in February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The hype video, which debuted following the New England Patriots&#8217; matchup against the Houston Texans on January 18, 2026, marks the beginning of what promises to be a groundbreaking era for Disney&#8217;s sports media empire.<\/p>\n<p>This promo not only teases the grandeur of the event but also underscores the monumental shift in NFL broadcasting rights, with ESPN stepping into the Super Bowl spotlight for the very first time. The video itself is a cinematic masterpiece, blending inspirational quotes, iconic NFL moments, and Disney&#8217;s magical flair. It opens with a serene city skyline at dusk, overlayed with Walt Disney&#8217;s timeless words: &#8220;All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>The Super Bowl is coming to ESPN and ABC<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">ESPN dropped a hype video after the Pats-Texans game for Super Bowl LXI, which will be broadcasted on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 &amp; streaming on Disney+, NFL+, Hulu &amp; ESPN Unlimited. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tscpjG97X8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/tscpjG97X8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Follow: @ThrowbackPATS (@ThrowbackPATS) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ThrowbackPATS\/status\/2013031725476266085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>From there, it transitions into a montage of football history\u2014players charging onto the field, roaring crowds, confetti explosions, and triumphant celebrations. Highlights include Patrick Mahomes gazing at the horizon, hard-hitting tackles, coaches pumping up their teams, and fireworks illuminating the night sky. The promo cleverly weaves in Disney elements, such as fireworks spelling out &#8220;Disney&#8221; and shots of the iconic castle, symbolizing the synergy between entertainment and sports under the Disney umbrella.<\/p>\n<p>It builds to a crescendo with fiery graphics proclaiming &#8220;Super Bowl,&#8221; &#8220;Monday Night Football,&#8221; and &#8220;See it like you&#8217;ve never seen it before,&#8221; culminating in &#8220;The Year of the Super Bowl&#8221; and the reveal: &#8220;Super Bowl LXI&#8221; beginning February 2027, broadcast on ESPN and ABC.<\/p>\n<p>This release comes amid growing anticipation for what will be a landmark broadcast. Super Bowl LXI will be the first-ever Super Bowl aired on <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/espns-megacast-delivers-pat-mcafee-sideline-chaos-and-coaches-film-room-return-for-cfp-national-championship\/\" target=\"_self\">ESPN<\/a>, expanding the network&#8217;s reach into the NFL&#8217;s crown jewel event.<\/p>\n<p>For ABC, it&#8217;s a return to the big game after a two-decade hiatus, last hosting Super Bowl XL in 2006 under the ABC Sports banner. This time, it falls under the &#8220;ESPN on ABC&#8221; branding, reflecting the integrated approach of Disney&#8217;s properties.<\/p>\n<p>The booth will feature the seasoned duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, who last called a Super Bowl together during LIV on FOX in 2020. Buck has already hyped it as potentially the &#8220;biggest day in ESPN history,&#8221; given the stakes and the network&#8217;s long-awaited entry into this arena. The game is scheduled for February 14, 2027 \u2014 Valentine&#8217;s Day, prompting Troy Aikman to playfully declare Joe Buck his &#8216;date&#8217; (or valentine) for the occasion during a recent <em>Monday Night Football<\/em> broadcast.<\/p>\n<p>Adding to the excitement, the broadcast will include alternative viewing options, giving it a &#8220;MegaCast&#8221; vibe reminiscent of ESPN&#8217;s College Football Playoff coverage. Peyton and Eli Manning will host their popular <em>ManningCast<\/em> on ESPN2, offering witty analysis and guest appearances alongside the main feed. This mirrors recent innovations, like CBS&#8217;s kid-friendly alternate broadcast on Nickelodeon for Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. Spanish-language coverage will air on ESPN Deportes, with streaming available across Disney+, NFL+, Hulu, and the new ESPN direct-to-consumer service. Veteran ESPN personality Chris Berman has also been confirmed to contribute to the coverage, extending his storied career with the network.<\/p>\n<p>2027 shapes up as a banner year for ABC, not just with the Super Bowl but also hosting the College Football Playoff National Championship for the first time ever. This dual milestone highlights Disney&#8217;s aggressive push in live sports, leveraging its vast ecosystem to deliver unparalleled content.<\/p>\n<p>Fans got an early glimpse of potential on-air innovations when a new scorebug design leaked during ESPN&#8217;s testing ahead of the Patriots-Texans game. The sleek graphic features a black base with bold white scores, team logos, and a &#8220;Current Drive&#8221; banner displaying plays, yards, and time elapsed. It uses a modern font seen in recent ESPN promotions, sparking speculation that it could debut for the Super Bowl season. Replies to the leak praised its &#8220;heat&#8221; and suggested it aligns with upcoming package refreshes for NBA and NHL broadcasts.<\/p>\n<h3>ESPN&#8217;s Super Bowl season<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Interesting: ESPN was testing out what appears to be a new NFL scorebug today. I don&#8217;t think this is going to debut on today&#8217;s game since they also tested the current bug and used the Texans and Patriots for that (i.e. the actual teams playing), but still maybe something of note? <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uGKGNFwisc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/uGKGNFwisc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sports TV News &amp; Updates (@TVSportsUpdates) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TVSportsUpdates\/status\/2012973490693976420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Further building hype, ESPN\/ABC offered a teaser of their Super Bowl coverage style during the pregame for the Patriots-Texans tilt. For the first time, crews from <em>Sunday NFL Countdown<\/em> and <em>Monday Night Countdown<\/em> combined forces, blending analysis from both shows in a unified lead-up. This collaborative approach hints at the expansive, multi-platform spectacle planned for LXI, where pregame festivities could span hours across networks.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, <a  href=\"https:\/\/frontofficesports.com\/optimism-espn-nfl-deal-can-close-in-april\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN and Disney are optimistic about finalizing<\/a> their blockbuster media rights agreement with the NFL \u2014 which includes ESPN acquiring NFL Network, linear distribution rights to NFL RedZone, and other NFL Media assets in exchange for the league receiving a 10% equity stake in ESPN \u2014 by April 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Industry sources indicate strong momentum in negotiations and regulatory reviews, with both sides hoping to close the deal in the spring rather than risking a delay until January 2027. If approved on that accelerated timeline, it would provide ESPN with full access to NFL Media&#8217;s vast resources well in advance of the 2026-27 season. This includes NFL Network&#8217;s year-round programming, in-depth analysis, draft coverage, preseason games, and behind-the-scenes content \u2014 all of which could significantly enhance pregame shows, halftime features, and ancillary coverage leading into Super Bowl LXI.<\/p>\n<p>As the NFL&#8217;s media landscape evolves, this promo signals ESPN and ABC&#8217;s intent to redefine the Super Bowl experience. With innovative graphics, star-studded commentary, and Disney&#8217;s storytelling magic, Super Bowl LXI isn&#8217;t just a game\u2014it&#8217;s a cultural event poised to shatter viewership records. As Buck put it, the countdown to ESPN&#8217;s biggest day has officially begun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ESPN and ABC have released their inaugural promotional video for Super Bowl LXI, set to take place in February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The hype video, which debuted following the New England Patriots&#8217; matchup against the Houston Texans on January 18, 2026, marks the beginning of what promises to be a groundbreaking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5665,"featured_media":2115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[396,267,264,238],"tags":[75],"class_list":["post-2110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disney","category-espn","category-news","category-sports-media","tag-featured"],"modified_by":"Steve Carney","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5665"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2110"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2116,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110\/revisions\/2116"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}