Nickelodeon to broadcast the Cowboys vs 49ers game

For only the second time Nickelodeon will be broadcasting its an NFL game come this Sunday.

Nickelodeon brings the NFL to kids

It was just one season ago when children's network Nickelodeon broadcasted its first NFL game between the Saints and Bears. Given that CBS is the main broadcaster of the league's games, many may have been confused as to why Nickelodeon was airing the game. The answer, however is simple, the "kid friendly" coverage is a way of indoctrinating younger fans who otherwise probably wouldn't see the games. With that said, this year the network is bringing the Cowboys vs. 49ers wild-card game on Sunday, January 16th.

A brief look at Nickelodeon's NFL trial

In a first time event, Nickelodeon broadcasted the NFC wild-card game between the Saints and the Bears last season. At the time the move was promoted as an attempt to introduce younger viewers to the NFL. Utilizing CBS's Noah Eagle, Nate Burleson and traditional Nickelodeon star Gabrielle Nevaeh Green, kids were given a view of the game that was easier to digest and moreover full of fun. Green for her part would ask questions about what's happening in the game as a way to involve the viewers.

Suffice to say last season's game was a huge success. Indeed, Nickelodeon and CBS Sports signed a partnership ahead of the 2021 season thereby allowing Nickelodeon to broadcast one game again. Alongside that, the partnership also saw the introduction of new weekly show called "NFL Slimetime" on the kid's network. Nickelodeon's President and CEO didn't hide his excitement about the partnership. "Our coverage of the NFL Wild Card game was literally a game-changer in so many ways, and the sensational response absolutely proved there's huge demand for sports content with the kind of kids and family point of view that only Nickelodeon can deliver," Robbins said. "In this next stage of our tremendous partnership with the NFL and CBS Sports, we're going to raise the bar again and help innovate sports programming to bring the whole family together for one-of-a-kind viewing experiences."

So what's the difference with Nickelodeon's coverage?

Quite simply, Nickelodeon is a network that's devoted to children. With that in mind the NFL broadcast full of kid friendly graphics and animations that help keep the young audience up to speed with exactly what's going on. One of their most famous examples is that of the virtual slime celebration when a touchdown is scored. Rest assured one can expect to see the slime this year along with the network's well known orange being used to show first down lines. There will also be a blimp - in augmented reality - which will fly around the stadium during game time. As for the pregame and halftime shows, it's understood that the network has plans for both, but so far have remained tight lipped as to what they are. If last year's game is any indication, then we can expect an appearance from "Spongebob Squarepants," as he was part of the show last season. Above all, however, fans - whether adult or child - will most definitely be looking out for Nickelodeon's "NVP Award," which acts as their MVP award. Last year, it was Mitch Trubisky won the award,

Nickelodeon's reasoning for NFL move

In terms of numbers it's quite simple, when Nickelodeon's broadcasted the game between the Saints and Bears last year it resulted in their most-watched program in more than four years. The broadcast garnered approximately two billion hits on on Twitter and needless to say, was the highest trending topic on the day. the virtual slime was a staple for the day as it went viral alongside videos of some of Nickelodeon's most iconic characters characters making appearances. With that said, kids can definitely look forward to Sunday Night Football in a way that they normally wouldn't be able to.