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NBC’s Ebersol: Sunday Night Football a Guaranteed Success

NBC avoided a reduction from last year in its upfront take by leveraging its Sunday Night Football package in order to bring in an estimated $1.9 billion, but now the network needs to focus on generating the ratings it promised media buyers if it wants to avoid having to pay make-goods.

NBC Universal’s Dick Ebersol is confident that the Sunday night package will be a success, pointing to flexible scheduling and top talent in the broadcasting booth, writes MediaPost.

Unlike ABC’s schedule for Monday Night Football, which was confirmed before the season began, this is the first time the NFL has allowed flex scheduling, which should help NBC. The network can select its late-season games to assure that it has strong match-ups with a good chance for playoff implications.

In fact, that’s why NBC was willing to sign a six-year deal with the NFL, according to Ebersol. “Once you get into November, teams you thought would be great aren’t great,” he is quoted as saying. “Then, you’re stuck with some really tough games.”

John Madden and Al Michaels in the broadcast booth will also help guarantee success, Ebersol says.