The Simpsons scores a live animated NFL telecast

Following Toy Story Funday Football’s ratings success, the NFL has teamed up with Disney/ESPN for a second real-time animated game, this time featuring The Simpsons.  
October 29, 2024

The NFL is shifting from Andy’s room to Springfield’s Atoms Stadium for its second fully animated, real-time telecast.

In partnership with the creators of
The Simpsons, the NFL, Disney and ESPN will premiere The Simpsons Funday Football on Monday, December 9. This kid-friendly alternate telecast of a matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Texas will stream on Disney+ and ESPN+, as well as launching on mobile with NFL+.

Outside of the US, the special presentation will be available live and/or for VOD replay in more than 145 markets, including Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sub-Saharan Africa and Canada.   

Combining the NFL’s Next Gen Stats’ tracking data with Hawk-Eye optical tracking technology from Sony’s Beyond Sports, every player and play will be recreated in real time in a CG-animated Simpsons-inspired environment.

Other highlights will include Bart and Homer subbing in and squaring off against each other in key offensive and defensive moments; Marge and Lisa interviewing players on the sidelines; Maggie operating the SkyCam; and other characters like Krusty, Milhouse, Ralph, Barney, Lenny and Moe offering their own unique takes on the game.

Simpsons voice actors Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith have pre-recorded bits and skits for the telecast, which will also feature the iconic Simpsons theme song and other familiar show jingles. Additionally, ESPN commentators Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky and Drew Carter will be animated in the style of the Simpsons, and Peyton and Eli Manning will periodically check in on the kids telecast during their more traditional Monday Night Football coverage.

Toy Story Funday Football, the NFL’s first fully-animated telecast, became the most-viewed live event ever on Disney+ when it aired last October. It also won three Sports Emmys (Outstanding Production Design, George Wensel Technical Achievement and Outstanding Graphic Design).

Kid-friendly animated telecasts of sporting events have proven to boost co-viewing numbers for networks. Like the NFL, Formula One and the NHL have similarly increased their output of this type of programming lately.            

About The Author
Jeremy is the Features Editor of Kidscreen specializing in the content production, broadcasting and distribution aspects of the global children's entertainment industry. Contact Jeremy at jdickson@brunico.com.

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