The Super Bowl rotates between three of the four television partners. Last year it was on CBS, next year it will be on FOX, and the year after that it was supposed to be on NBC. Except NBC and CBS decided that they didn’t want that. The reason: NBC has the Winter Olympics in 2022. The Winter Olympics will be at the same time as the Super Bowl in 2022. CBS decided it didn’t want to compete with NBC and NBC decided it would be easier for them if they had the Super Bowl and the Olympics. The Super Bowl television shuffle is happening.

It makes sense. This allows CBS to avoid going up against NBC counterprogramming. It also allows NBC to avoid having to deal with going up against the Super Bowl. NBC spends a pretty hefty sum on both their Olympics television rights and their NFL television rights. The last thing they would want is one night where their potential ad revenue dips because major brands are trying to get Super Bowl spots.

Now NBC will have an entire days worth of live sports content that will garner high ratings throughout the day. The Super Bowl NBC received is in Los Angeles which will be hyped like crazy throughout the year. The Beijing Winter Olympics into the Super Bowl . . . NBC has to be pretty happy abou that situation.