MyNetworkTV Kicks Off NFL Deal

As part of its efforts to upgrade programming--a priority for owner News Corp.--second-year MyNetworkTV has struck a deal with the NFL to air original episodes of the signature show on its network, "NFL Total Access."

Called "NFL Network: Total Access" on MNTV, the show, which begins Sept. 8, will air on Saturdays at 9 p.m. in advance of NFL games on Sunday. The hour-long series will run through the Super Bowl until Feb. 23, for a total of 20 episodes.

"NFL Total Access," which generally looks to cover the league's news of the day, runs six days a week on the NFL Network.

Its host, Rich Eisen, and analysts, ex-NFL stars Marshall Faulk and Rod Woodson, will also appear on the MNTV version. One focus will be previews of the games the next day.

News of MNTV securing the show was first reported by Mediaweek.

For the NFL Network--which doesn't receive nationwide carriage on cable--it's an opportunity to showcase its content to the full country, according to COO Kim Williams. For MNTV, which had a lackluster first year with telenovelas serving as programming anchors, it's a move to bring new viewers to--and boost ratings for--the network.

News Corp. has a lot riding on the network's success, since it operates a run of local stations in large markets that carry it.

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