ESPN caught a lot of heat from fans during the network’s twin broadcast of its Week 7 “Monday Night Football” doubleheader.
The broadcasting giant aired two Monday games simultaneously: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers-Arizona Cardinals.
It’s hardly the first time that ESPN has staggered two games on Monday night. But some fans were upset over the fact that the Chargers-Cardinals game aired exclusively on the company’s ESPN+ streaming platform.
The complaints reached a crescendo once the Buccaneers-Ravens game went into halftime and more fans realized they couldn’t just change the channel to catch the other game.
No easy toggle between games. No both game options like you tube. ESPN is a special kinda stupid the way they have these two games on at the same time.
— David Baker (@audavidb) October 22, 2024
I don't understand ESPN's plan for these Monday Night Football games.
"We are going to air an entertaining game on ESPN while showing a terrible game on ESPN+ at the same time"
Why would anybody be watching the game on ESPN+ right now? Just a bad business idea. pic.twitter.com/O5hoVVCOp1
— Scott Reichel (@ReichelRadio) October 22, 2024
I've got no problem with NFL games on streaming services. But it seems a little asinine to have a staggered doubleheader with one game on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 and the other one only on ESPN+.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 22, 2024
There's a Monday Night Football game that's ONLY on ESPN plus? Is the objective here to make sure nobody watches the game? Great job, guys
— Pat Casey 🎅 (@Pat_Kc) October 22, 2024
Having TWO Monday Night Football games just to put one on ESPN+ is insane to me. I have the subscription service but I know not everyone does. Starting to ruin the inclusivity that is the sport of football, imo.
— Dan. (@Visionary_SZN) October 21, 2024
In the age of streaming, both sports leagues and broadcasters alike have slowly moved some of their games online. However, transitioning live sports to streaming platforms has proven to be a much more complicated endeavor compared to other forms of entertainment.
There was similar backlash during last season’s NFL playoffs when the Wild Card round matchup between the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs aired exclusively on Peacock.
