Is the Apocalypse Nigh?
The L.A. Times is speculating that ABC may eliminate Monday Night Football! Ack! Even though it is ABC’s most popular prime-time program, with a history back to 1970, it apparently loses $150M a year to put it on. On top of this, the NFL is looking to actually increase the amount their charging for the broadcast rights, possibly by as much as 20%.
Interestingly, neither Fox nor CBS view the NFL broadcasts as a money-making enterprise, but rather use them as loss-leaders to preserve image and promote other programs. ABC affiliates consider it a given that ABC should re-up the contract, as they’ve been bearing the brunt of slipping prime-time ratings, of which MNF is a significant exception.