Nellie Andreeva
EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros. Discovery seeks to take Puppy bowl to another level as a live television event by simultaneously broadcasting it to linear networks and streaming platforms on both sides of the merged company.
In its first post-merger edition, Puppy Bowl will run on its home network, animal planetwhere it has been a must for 19 years, as well as on TBSthe unscripted trending brand of the TNets, Discovery Channel as well as soon to be combined Discovery+ and HBO Max.
Last year, Puppy Bowl XVIII aired on Discovery+ in addition to its Animal Planet run; the event’s footprint was significantly expanded this year by adding networks, TBS and Discovery, as well as a streamer, HBO Max, with a wider reach.
“The puppies take over and the epic battle between Ruff and Fluff is now too big for one network alone,” the simulcast promo reads. (You can watch it above.)
The stunt follows major marketing campaigns across the WBD portfolio for last year’s Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and Dragon House on HBO/HBO Max.
The 19th annual adoption call event will feature Bleacher Report host Taylor Rooks, sports commentator Steve Levy, Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (Married to real estate), Faruq Tauheed (battle robots), Zak Bagans (Ghost Adventures), Alex Guarnaschelli (Supermarket) with Discovery Channel talent street outlaw franchise, the next film from New Line Cinema Shazam! Fury of the gods, as well as sports personalities from Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
Puppy Bowl XIX will feature 122 puppies, 67 shelters and rescues in 34 states – and for the first time will feature a Native American animal organization and a puppy player from Dominica, West Indies.
A pre-game show begins at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT with the inside scoop on the Puppy Bowl draft as well as exclusive interviews with coaches and players. Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner returns for his 12th year while sportscasters Levy and Rooks return to provide in-depth commentary.