Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars offers television viewers a choice: you can imagine watching the game at London’s Wembley Stadium in the traditional broadcast, or you can imagine yourself in the Tri-County Area – the fictional home of Andy from “Toy Story” – to watch the same game in real time on alternative airwaves.
When the Falcons and Jaguars face off in London, ESPN will debut a “Toy Story”-themed broadcast, a fully animated replica of the real game that takes place in Andy’s room. The entire broadcast, including the announcers, graphics and scoreboard, will be themed, with characters from the film series appearing throughout.
You might just see Buzz Lightyear flying into the end zone. But why?
Why ESPN and the NFL are making “Toy Story.”
“Toy Story Funday Football,” as ESPN calls it, is the network’s latest attempt to attract younger viewers. As The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch wrote when the network announced the alternative broadcast, “Create a young fan, and you’ll get their money for decades.”
And as “Toy Story” famously reminds us that no one can stop growing up, the networks hope to raise the next generation of soccer fans.
In order to introduce the supposedly younger audience to football, the alternative broadcast shows how to throw a perfect spiral and safely execute a tackle. Falcons and Jaguars players will also appear in pre-recorded segments and interviews.
Imaginative and themed shows have gained popularity in recent years. In 2022, a playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys that aired on CBS and Nickelodeon — and yes, included a lot of slime — averaged 41.496 million viewers across both networks. It was the most-watched NFL Wild Card game on any network in seven years.
Nickelodeon first broadcast an NFL game on January 10, 2021 for a wild card matchup between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. It drew an average of 2.06 million viewers, totaling 30.65 million on CBS and Nickelodeon.
And Nickelodeon’s NFL presence continues to grow. The network will air an alternate Super Bowl LVIII broadcast on February 11, 2024. Super Bowl LVIII will be CBS and Nickelodeon’s second collaboration this season, following Nickelodeon’s broadcast of the “NFL Nickmas Game” between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
GO DEEPER
Expect Nickelodeon slime for future NFL broadcasts
Elements of the “Toy Story” show
The themed broadcast puts a literal twist on the animated announcer. The three broadcasters on the stand will show a lively game while also appearing as part of the “Toy Story” universe.
Drew Carter will be on play-by-play, Booger McFarland will serve as analyst and 12-year reporter Pepper Persley will be on the phone. According to ESPN, they will appear fully animated using motion capture technology.
Carter, McFarland and Persley are joined in Andy’s bedroom by none other than Woody, Buzz, Bo Peep, Bullseye, Bunny, Ducky, Forky, Green Aliens, Jesse, Rex and Slinky Dog. And at halftime, Duke Caboom – the action figure from “Toy Story 4” – will try to top Rihanna’s halftime performance at the 2023 Super Bowl with a production of his own.
Where to see
Fans will soon be able to travel to infinity, London and beyond from the comfort of their couch.
Both traditional and “Toy Story” broadcasts will be available on ESPN+ and on mobile devices via NFL+ on October 1 at 9:30 a.m. ET. “Toy Story Funday Football” will also be available on Disney+.
Required reading
(Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)