ORLANDO, Fla. – Each weekend during the NFL season is unique at WKMG-TV.
The upcoming weekend, for example, is a double-header for CBS, which means CBS and affiliate-stations receive two games on Sunday, one at 1 p.m. and the other at 4:25 p.m.
Recommended Videos
[RELATED: 2024-25 NFL schedule: Games on WKMG-TV]
This weekend, CBS is not broadcasting any Florida teams.
The games are:
Early afternoon
- Denver at Kansas City
- Pittsburgh at Washington
- Buffalo at Indianapolis
Late afternoon
- Philadelphia at Dallas
- NY Jets at Arizona
WKMG will air Pittsburgh at Washington at 1 p.m. and Philadelphia at Dallas at 4:25 p.m.
Last weekend was a single-header, so CBS stations and affiliates were assigned only one game, whether the early or the late time slot.
When the networks “flexed” NFL games during the week, meaning the networks swapped some games amongst themselves, CBS received the late Jaguars away game. This additional matchup to the network’s offering had more of an impact on WKMG, as we are a must-carry station for Jacksonville away games.
As we know, the early game was Miami vs. Buffalo on November 3, but WKMG had to take the Jacksonville game, per NFL rules.
We have passed along viewer sentiments from last weekend to our network representatives, who say they will send them to CBS Sports.
Many viewers believe that WKMG has a choice in what games and teams we air. The NFL and networks make this decision, not WKMG.
CBS Sports and the league look at the entire nation and its assignments. They then disperse the must-carry games across the markets and distribute the other games in what is called the regionalization process.
WKMG receives its assigned teams and games on a rolling basis about 12 days before each Sunday. As the season progresses, they may take longer to release the matchups, but typically we know 9-12 days beforehand which games will air.
The Friday before an assigned Sunday game, CBS sends out a final notice. At any time, assignments can change. We saw this happen frequently during the pandemic.
Also, many think that we receive two games each Sunday and elect not to air them both. This is not the case. We rarely do not air network programming of any kind and certainly would not withhold an NFL game from our viewers. Football is a key component of WKMG’s programming, attracting a large and dedicated audience. The options for WKMG on a given Sunday are that we receive two games and air them both, or we can broadcast one game, either in the early or late time slot.
Unlike other weekends, CBS does not provide CBS Sports-related programming to fill the time on a single-header Sunday. This is content that viewers are accustomed to seeing on other weekends leading into or out of a game or match. These are programs like CBS Sports Spectacular or CBS Sports Special and include content such as professional bull riding, strongest man competitions or documentary-style shows regarding sports legends. It is up to the local station to fill that time.
Central Florida is home to fans enthusiastic for the Dolphins, Jaguars and Bucs. The region is also home to many transplants who root for teams across the country. WKMG and our network partners are aware that broadcast rights and scheduling constraints can limit our ability to provide our viewers with the opportunity to watch their team of choice. Despite these limitations, we remain committed to delivering quality programming and news coverage to News 6 viewers.
Be sure to check this link as we update it as soon as games are changed or confirmed.
Thanks for watching!