(Two upedates sincwe this was posted: First, the Lakers did win Sunday, wrapping up the NBA season. At least, ABC got a six-game finals — the same as NBC got in hockey. And second, the Patriots-Broncos game got postponed yet again. So there’s no bonus game tonight — Monday, Oct. 12 — but there’s still one on Tuesday. Noe here’s the original story:)
The sports world has been giving some big breaks to TV networks … and to viewers.
Breaks are needed, at a time when COVID has slowed the fall TV line-ups. During that time, any sports event brings a spurt of interest; lately, the breaks have gone to:
– CBS. For the second straight week, it gets a primetime, pro-football game. Both games were postponed because of COVID, then re-scheduled as a weekday bonus. This one could be a dilly: At 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (Oct. 13), two undefeated teams collide, with Josh Allen (shown here) and Buffalo (4-0) at Tennessee (3-0).
– ESPN. With a rescheduled game, “Monday Night Football” becomes a double-header. On Oct. 12, it’s Broncos-Patriots at 5 p.m. ET and Chargers-Saints at 8:15.
– ABC. For a time, it looked like the Lakers would have a four-game sweep in the best-of-seven pro-basketball finals … depriving the network (and the viewers) of three games. Then the Heat came back, winning the third and fifth games. That forces at least one more, at 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday (Oct. 11).
– Fox. Things have been tough, with no Big Ten football. But Fox will finally have those games back on Oct. 24, starting with Nebraska at Ohio State.
Meanwhile, it has pro football Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons, plus baseball: On Monday, it has the National League play-offs, with the Braves and Dodgers at 8:08 p.m. ET. (Earlier that day, TBS has the American League, with the Astros and Rays at 4:09.) After that, Fox Sports1 takes over … but starting Oct. 20, Fox has the World Series.