The Lead
The Broncos' preseason home opener against the Packers is nearly here, and Broncos fans will have a new and unique way to watch this week's game.
The Broncos recently announced "Denver Broncos Alt Cast: 'No Fly Zone' Presented by Ford," an alternate broadcast available exclusively to Colorado viewers and hosted by Super Bowl 50 champions Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. alongside James Palmer. The alternate broadcast is only available in Colorado due to NFL preseason broadcasting restrictions.
Ahead of the team's first-ever alternate broadcast of a preseason game, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic took a closer look at what went into the planning and preparation for this immersive viewing experience, and specifically, the selection of Talib and Harris to headline the program.
"Next season is our 10th anniversary of Super Bowl 50, so that's been very top of mind for us," said Hailey Sullivan, the Broncos' chief marketing officer. "When you do an alt cast in different content format, it's really about how we choose hosts who fans immediately recognize. We have a problem of riches because there are many people to choose from. But specifically choosing from the Super Bowl 50 team, specifically choosing from the 'No-Fly Zone,' and choosing teammates with chemistry and history, it just became a no-brainer."
The chemistry and history between Harris and Talib dates all the way back to 2007, when the duo first teamed up as college players at the University of Kansas. As Broncos' teammates, Talib and Harris earned a combined seven Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro selections. They led a secondary that earned national recognition for its playmaking ability and contributed to a Super Bowl 50 win.
But while Talib and Harris experienced so much on-field success, this wasn't what stood out when selecting them to headline the broadcast.
"Harris and Talib combined for five interceptions and three touchdown returns during the 2015 season, but it was the way they carried themselves on and off the field that endeared them to fan," Kosmider wrote.
Talib and Harris, who have regularly stayed in touch with one another and other members of Denver's 2015 defense, are eager to let their familiar banter provide fans with an alternate perspective of the game.
"That's what the people want," Harris said. "They like listening to old memories and picturing themselves listening in on the locker room. We can give them those visions of what happens and the stories. That's priceless to fans. That's how we want to make it, and be real and authentic like we always try to be. Just doing that should make it entertaining."
Talib, who said he could envision how the program would go from the moment he heard about it, said the duo is also excited to welcome guests to the broadcast throughout the game.
The alternate broadcast is powered by Kiswe and will be streamed on live.DenverBroncos.com and the Broncos' official mobile app.
For more on the "No Fly Zone" alternate broadcast, click here to read Kosmider's article.
