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Amazon Prime Video has enlisted popular sports and comedy group Dude Perfect to host an alternate Thursday Night Football telecast, titled “TNF With Dude Perfect.”
Dude Perfect, a group of five former Texas A&M college roommates known for their comedy routines and stunts, quickly grew into a social media sensation since their inception in 2009, collects over 85 million combined followers on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. The OTT broadcast provides a unique opportunity for Amazon Prime Video to reach different audiences, and the company hopes The Dudes will bring millions of fans with it.
Dude Perfect’s Tyler Toney, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones and twins Cory and Coby Cotton intend to predict plays during the matches from their 30,000 square foot studio in Frisco, Texas, while incorporating slapstick and special guests into the stream. The alternate broadcast appears to be Amazon’s own version of ESPN’s Manningcast.
Amazon’s regular Thursday Night Football streams will feature Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit in the booth and Kaylee Hartung on the sidelines. But the company confirmed today that Dude Perfect, originally developed in 2009, will periodically stream an alternative Thursday Night Football broadcast.
“We don’t want to be gimmicky, we want to reach new fans and really build long-term relationships with them,” Marie Donoghue, Amazon’s VP of global sports video, told Forbes. “…Given the opportunity to bring The Dudes’ unbridled joy and infectious energy to Thursday Night Football, it’s a real opportunity to set our broadcast apart, and we also look forward to welcoming their entire community, fans and family members to this alternative viewing experience.”
Amazon also plans to integrate a data-tracking X-ray tool on its shipments as it pursues new technology. According to Donoghue, Amazon Prime Video will stream at least two alternate Thursday night game telecasts each week and is on the verge of announcing those hosts later in August. Reports are that up-and-coming media personality Pat McAfee may be tapped to host a so-called “McAfee-Cast” and that former Saints quarterback Drew Brees — who was recently released by NBC Sports — could host a “QBs only” show which coincides with the game.
Amazon Prime Videos debuts its Thursday Night Football on September 15 when the Kansas City Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers. In total, the company will have 15 exclusive games, the first time ever that the NFL will exclusively stream games weekly during a season.
