View source for Inside the NFL

{{Short description|Weekly sports show}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox television
| genre                = Sports
| presenter            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Al Meltzer]] (1977–78)
* [[Chuck Bednarik]] (1977–78)
* [[Merle Harmon]] (1978–80)
* [[Len Dawson]] (1978–2001)
* [[Nick Buoniconti]] (1980–2001)
* [[Cris Collinsworth]] (1990; 2002–07)
* [[Bob Costas]] (2002–07)
* [[Dan Marino]] (2002–07)
* [[Cris Carter]] (2002–07)
* [[James Brown (television)|James Brown]] (2008–23)
* [[Ryan Clark (American football)|Ryan Clark]] (2023–present)
}}
| starring             = {{plainlist |
* [[Warren Sapp]]
* [[Bill Cowher]]
* [[Joe Theismann]]
* [[Phil Simms]]
* [[Brandon Marshall]]
* [[Ray Lewis]]
* [[Julian Edelman]]
* [[Channing Crowder]]
* [[Jay Cutler]]
* [[Chad Johnson]]
* [[Chris Long]]
* [[Bill Belichick]]
}}
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 48
| runtime              = 60 minutes
| company = [[NFL Films]]
| network              = {{plainlist |
* [[HBO]] (1977–2008)
* [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] (2008–21)
* [[Paramount+]] (2021–23)
* [[The CW]] (2023–present)
}}
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1977|9|22}}
| last_aired           = present
}}

'''''Inside the NFL''''' is an American weekly television sports show that focuses on the [[National Football League]] (NFL).

Each NFL season, the program airs from Week 1 of the regular season until the week after the [[Super Bowl]]. The show principally features highlights of the past week's games that were captured by [[NFL Films]], in addition to commentary and analysis by the hosts, and occasional interviews with current and former NFL players and personnel.

The show originally aired on [[HBO]] from 1977 through 2008. Following [[Super Bowl XLII]], it moved to [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]], airing there until 2021, when it moved to streaming service [[Paramount+]]. In April 2023, it was reported that Paramount+ would drop the show; it was picked up by [[The CW]] later that June.

==History==
''Inside the NFL'' first aired in [[1977 NFL season|1977]] and had been cable television's longest-running series until it departed for Paramount+. The first episode followed [[1977 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] quarterback Rhett Swanson from his final college pass at [[USC Trojans football|USC]] to draft day. The show is significant for being the first regular weekly sports program on HBO outside its [[HBO Sports|live sports coverage]], and the first NFL-endorsed program to air on a premium [[subscription television]] platform. The original hosts were [[Al Meltzer]], at the time play-by-play man for the [[Buffalo Bills]], and [[Chuck Bednarik]], [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] [[one-platoon system|two-way player]] for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]].

===1978–2001===
In [[1978 NFL season|1978]], Meltzer and Bednarik left the show and were replaced by [[Merle Harmon]] and Hall of Fame [[quarterback]] [[Len Dawson]] respectively. In [[1980 NFL season|1980]], Merle Harmon left for [[NBC Sports|NBC]] as Len Dawson was joined by fellow Hall of Famer and former [[Miami Dolphins]] [[linebacker]] [[Nick Buoniconti]]. In [[1989 NFL season|1989]], newly retired [[Cris Collinsworth]] joined as an on-air reporter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/17/AR2008091700196.html |title=Leonard Shapiro – Collinsworth Finds New Life on Showtime's 'Inside the NFL' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=September 17, 2008 |access-date=October 3, 2012}}</ref> In [[1990 NFL season|1990]], Collinsworth joined Dawson and Buoniconti as the third host. Several former players and coaches served as co-host throughout this period including [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]] and [[Jerry Glanville]].

From 1999 to 2001, the hosts of ''Inside the NFL'' appeared on HBO's corporate cousin, [[Cartoon Network]], hosting faux pregame shows for the network's ''Big Game'' specials (featuring classic theatrical cartoons edited together as a parody of the Super Bowl).

===2001–2006===
After the [[2001 NFL season]], Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti retired from the show. From the [[2002 NFL season|2002]]–[[2007 NFL season|2007 seasons]], the show was hosted by [[Bob Costas]] with former players [[Dan Marino]], [[Cris Collinsworth]], and [[Cris Carter]] serving as co-hosts. Bob Costas acknowledged this change in the season's first episode and paid tribute to the former hosts, saying they paved the way for the show to succeed. In addition to the change in hosts, ''Inside the NFL'' also featured segments featuring comics such as [[George Lopez]], [[Jim Florentine]], [[Lewis Black]] and [[Wanda Sykes]].

During the last three weeks of the [[2005 NFL season]], ''[[Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel|Real Sports]]'' host [[Bryant Gumbel]] filled in for Bob Costas. Costas was unavailable because he was in [[Turin|Turin, Italy]] preparing to cover the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] for [[Olympics on NBC|NBC]].

In a special 30th anniversary episode that aired in December 2006, Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti were invited back to co-host the show.

===2008–2023: Showtime and Paramount+===
On February 6, 2008, HBO suddenly announced that ''Inside the NFL'' would end its run after 31 seasons. HBO Sports cited increased competition in NFL-related programming since ''Inside the NFL''{{'}}s inception as a reason for its cancellation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-02-06-3063546697_x.htm|title=Inside the NFL' ending 31-year run on HBO|newspaper=[[USA Today]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=February 6, 2008}}</ref> Skeptics, however, believe that the real reason for HBO's decision to drop ''Inside the NFL'' was due to the increasing cost for usage of the [[NFL Films]] produced highlights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://beta.profootballtalk.com/2008/02/08/where-will-inside-the-nfl-land/ |title=WHERE WILL INSIDE THE NFL LAND? |publisher=Beta.profootballtalk.com |access-date=2012-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211225950/http://beta.profootballtalk.com/2008/02/08/where-will-inside-the-nfl-land/ |archive-date=February 11, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the final episode, a taped montage with highlights from the series' 31 seasons was aired. In addition, former hosts Dawson and Buoniconti did the final signoff as the credits rolled. Bob Costas soon regarded the cancellation by HBO as being a "boneheaded" move.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hiestand |first=Michael |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2008-02-07-hiestand-inside-the-nfl_N.htm?csp=34 |title=Costas: Axing of 'Inside the NFL' a 'boneheaded' move |newspaper=USA Today|date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=October 3, 2012}}</ref>

On June 3, 2008, [[CBS Sports]] and NFL Films announced that ''Inside the NFL'' had found a new home on [[CBS Corporation]]-owned [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] and would air on Wednesdays starting September 10 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on Showtime. ''Inside the NFL'' aired every Wednesday throughout the [[2008 NFL season]] through February 11, 2009. It was produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d808a52f2&template=without-video&confirm=true |title='Inside the NFL' touches down at Showtime |work=NFL.com|publisher=National Football League |access-date=October 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/03/inside.the.nfl.ap/index.html sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/03/] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606043029/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/03/inside.the.nfl.ap/index.html |date=June 6, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/06/03/its-showtime-for-inside-the-nfl/ |title=Jim Nantz is likely to replace Bob Costas as the 30-year HBO series becomes a production of CBS Sports |publisher=Profootballtalk.com |access-date=2012-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014120609/http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/06/03/its-showtime-for-inside-the-nfl/ |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On July 6, it was announced that [[James Brown (television)|James Brown]] would host ''Inside the NFL'', the role Bob Costas had on HBO. Brown would also be joined by lead CBS NFL analyst [[Phil Simms]], retired former Defensive Player of the Year [[Warren Sapp]] and the returning [[Cris Collinsworth]]. [[Jenn Brown]] joined the team as the first female special correspondent on the show. Her main responsibility would be to do various features throughout the season. While Sapp was competing on ''[[Dancing with the Stars (American season 7)|Dancing with the Stars]]'', former [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] head coach and current ''[[NFL Today]]'' analyst [[Bill Cowher]] along with former [[Washington Redskins]] quarterback [[Joe Theismann]] filled in.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hiestand |first=Michael |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2008-07-06-inside-nfl_N.htm |title=Showtime goes with experience for 'Inside the NFL' lineup |newspaper=USA Today |date=July 6, 2008 |access-date=2012-10-03}}</ref>

As of the 2019 NFL season, ''Inside the NFL'' is hosted by [[James Brown (television)|James Brown]], [[Phil Simms]], [[Brandon Marshall]] and [[Ray Lewis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sho.com/sho/inside-the-nfl/about|title = Inside the NFL 🏈 Watch on Paramount+}}</ref>

On February 24, 2021, it was announced that ''Inside the NFL'' would move from Showtime to [[Paramount+]], with former [[New England Patriots|Patriots]] wide receiver [[Julian Edelman]] also becoming a part of the series.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bucholtz|first=Andrew|date=February 24, 2021|title=Inside The NFL is heading from Showtime to Paramount+, the rebranded CBS All-Access streaming service|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/paramount/inside-the-nfl-is-heading-from-showtime-to-paramount.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=2021-04-21|title=Julian Edelman Joins 'Inside The NFL' This Fall On Paramount+; Part Of Overall ViacomCBS Deal For His Coast Productions|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/julian-edelman-inside-the-nfl-joins-viacomcbs-overall-deal-coast-productions-1234740984/|access-date=2021-04-23|website=Deadline}}</ref> The season premiered on September 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inside the NFL Set to Debut on Paramount+ on Sept. 7 |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2021/09/07/inside-the-nfl-set-to-debut-on-paramount-on-sept-7/ |website=Sports Video Group |access-date=April 13, 2022 |date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

On April 5, 2023, it was reported that Paramount+ canceled ''Inside the NFL'', with the NFL shopping it to other outlets.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Brian|title=Popular NFL Show Canceled at Paramount+|url=https://popculture.com/sports/news/popular-show-inside-the-nfl-canceled-paramount-plus/|website=[[PopCulture.com]]|date=April 5, 2023|access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref>

===2023–2025: The CW===
On June 7, 2023, it was announced that [[The CW]] picked up the series, which premiered on September 5, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|url=https://tvline.com/news/inside-the-nfl-release-date-september-2023-the-cw-1234996537/|title='Revamped' Inside the NFL to Air on The CW During the 2023 Football Season|website=[[TVLine]]|date=June 7, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> On August 30, 2023, it was announced that former [[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steelers]] safety [[Ryan Clark (American football)|Ryan Clark]] would be the show's new host, along with [[Channing Crowder]], [[Jay Cutler]], [[Chad Johnson]] and [[Chris Long]] as analysts.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Manfredi|first1=Lucas|last2=Cobb|first2=Kayla|title=The CW Taps Super Bowl Champion Ryan Clark As Host for 'Inside the NFL'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/inside-the-nfl-cw-ryan-clark-host/|website=[[TheWrap]]|date=August 30, 2023|access-date=August 30, 2023}}</ref>

In January 2024, episodes became available next-day on streaming service [[Netflix]].<ref name="TheWrapJan2024">{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/cw-netflix-inside-the-nfl-deal/ |title=Netflix to Stream 'Inside the NFL' During Playoffs and Super Bowl |website=The Wrap |date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>

On July 11, 2024, it was announced that former [[New England Patriots|Patriots]] head coach [[Bill Belichick]] would join the show, with Crowder and Cutler not returning.

On May 30, 2025, the NFL announced that it would sever ties with The CW as the football league and the network did not renew the show for the [[2025 NFL season|2025 season]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Florio|first=Mike|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/the-cw-says-so-long-to-inside-the-nfl/|title=The CW says so long to Inside the NFL|website=[[NBC Sports]]|date=May 30, 2025|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> The NFL is looking to find a new home for the show after its departure from The CW.

==Format==
Much like other shows on pay-cable networks and streaming providers, ''Inside the NFL'' has the freedom to stray from the traditional network format for its program. While the basic elements were the same as any other sports recap show by featuring highlights of the week's games and discussion of events around the league, the fact that there were no commercials allowed the panel to discuss subjects at length without the normal network time restrictions until the move to The CW.

===Highlights===
The highlight segments consist of [[NFL Films]] footage of the past week's games with narration by [[Scott Graham]] (previously [[Harry Kalas]] until his death in 2009). This has long been considered a major asset of the show as the game highlights are filmed and packaged longer than the average highlights package using game broadcast video and without any [[digital on-screen graphic]]s marring the presentation. It also aired on premium services, meaning there was no advertising through the hour.

In the last few years of ''Inside the NFL'', the show removed lower-profile games for more extended analysis of the top games; the transition to The CW will likely remove some games to account for it now being a program with traditional advertising.

===Interviews===
Aside from the highlights, ''Inside the NFL'' features in-depth interview segments with various players, coaches and front office personnel. Among the notable segments over the years was [[Cris Carter]] interviewing former coach [[Buddy Ryan]]. Ryan was Carter's first head coach when both were with the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Ryan released Carter with his explanation being the infamous quote ''"All he does is catch touchdowns."'' The interview revealed what some had learned over the years, that Ryan released Carter because of his [[substance abuse]] problems that were affecting his performance but did not want that to become public, lest it hinder Carter's chances to sign with another team. Carter admitted that his release was a wake-up call and saved his life as he became a [[born again Christian]] soon after, and went on to have a successful NFL career with the [[Minnesota Vikings]] in which he became the NFL's second-leading receiver of all time.

===Production===
====HBO====
The show was taped in a [[New York City]] studio on Wednesday and aired at various times throughout the week beginning Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]].

====Showtime and Paramount====
The show was taped at NFL Films' headquarters in [[Mount Laurel, New Jersey]] on Tuesday and aired at various times throughout the week beginning Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]]. Greg Gumbel was replaced in September 2015 by Adam Schein of CBS Sports, with Brown returning in 2016 as host and Schein taking a supporting role.

====The CW====
The show continues to be produced by NFL Films, led by executive producers Ross Ketover, Pat Kelleher and Keith Cossrow. Season 47 aired on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Due to [[WWE NXT]] airing on Tuesdays, season 48 airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. ET (where same-week encores aired in 2023) starting on August 30, 2024, later it was moved to Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET in October.<ref name="TheWrapJan2024" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.cwtv.com/shows/inside-the-nfl/}}
* {{IMDb title|0331136}}

{{NFL on CBS}}
{{National Football League on television and radio}}
{{Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show}}
{{HBONetwork Shows}}
{{Showtime Network programming}}
{{Paramount+}}
{{The CW programming}}

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