One of the most remarkable simultaneous events in sports occurred Wednesday when the UEFA Champions League’s format change allowed all 18 matches on the final matchday to be played at the same time, all broadcasted by CBS.
For Wednesday’s “Matchday Mayhem,” CBS featured Juventus v. Benfica on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+, while all other matches were available on Paramount+. The streaming platform also showcased a special edition of their whiparound show, The Golazo Show, featuring analysts Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards alongside host Nico Cantor, with Kate Scott providing pre- and post-match coverage.
The crew give their total goal count prediction for Matchday Mayhem! 🔥⚽️ pic.twitter.com/nNWwzM2nRw
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 29, 2025
On Thursday, shortly after CBS concluded an encore of 18 simultaneous Europa League broadcasts, CBS Sports senior creative director and VP of production Pete Radovich shared insights with AA about the technical execution of these broadcasts. Despite initial nerves regarding the simultaneous matches across two continents, he was pleased with the outcome: “It was a home run, an absolute home run, I thought, for the viewers, for us. The biggest fear going into something like yesterday with 18 games at once was the technical side, but it went off flawlessly: zero hiccups, zero issues, zero glitches. I was really pleased.”
Radovich credited the technical teams at both IMG Studios in London and CBS Sports’ headquarters in New York, emphasizing the often-overlooked effort involved in such a grand operation. He specifically highlighted the contributions of IMG’s head of live technology Charlotte Winter and CBS executive vice president Patty Power, noting that their preparations were crucial given the high stakes of broadcasting 18 simultaneous matches.
“Charlotte Winter here and Patty Power in New York probably had sleepless nights going into yesterday, knowing that we had 18 games at once and a lot of eyes on us. The technical teams did a brilliant job, and that needs to be highlighted because it’s easy to overlook when things go right.” Making sure the feeds work properly is just one challenge; delivering compelling coverage beyond match feeds was another. This included the special edition of The Golazo Show, which required seamless integration with the UCL Today analysts. Radovich expressed satisfaction with how everything was executed. “From a production standpoint, having Nico in place was essential. He knows every storyline, player, and scenario. Thierry is unmatched as an analyst; he can compete with anyone in America. With Jamie and Micah also bringing their insights, I couldn’t be more pleased.”
The unusual cast did raise some concerns about chemistry, but Radovich assured that CBS had fostered strong relationships among their soccer teams. “They all know each other. We’ve intentionally brought our different groups together over the years, creating a family-like atmosphere among our crews. There was zero apprehension about them meshing well.”
Reflecting on the evolution of The Golazo Show, Radovich noted the difficulty of executing a soccer whiparound show effectively, particularly given initial learning curves. “The first year was tough for everyone; it was a learning process that doesn’t happen overnight. Soccer presents unique challenges, especially with scoring opportunities being less predictable than in other sports. While there are similarities to NFL Red Zone, the pace and nature of soccer necessitate a different approach.” He praised the Golazo Show team for their swift progress, which allowed them to rise to the occasion amid the heightened demand of covering 18 matches.
Wednesday also involved a crossover with NFL Red Zone, as CBS invited host Scott Hanson to preview the day’s action in a five-minute segment on the UCL Today pregame show. This collaboration stemmed from Hanson’s notable social media engagement about the simultaneous matches, prompting Radovich to approach him. The interaction led to a productive discussion where Hanson asked extensive questions about the Champions League and the context surrounding the matches, demonstrating genuine interest in the broadcast event.
At the start of the UEFA season, Radovich had predicted the format change would lead to “insane” competition, which turned out to be even more accurate than expected—especially concerning Manchester City, who faced dire circumstances before triumphing against Club Brugge.
Raphael Onyedika stuns Man City with his first-ever UCL goal 🤯
Man City are currently facing elimination as it stands 😳 pic.twitter.com/OP72C0Wf0I
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 29, 2025
“We had the best-case scenario, a big team in trouble,” Radovich recounted, illustrating how the unfolding drama captivated viewers. “It was everything you hope for—a giant on the ropes, and it played out beautifully into the second half. The new format generates more excitement compared to the previous structure of eight groups, ensuring that final matchdays are interesting and engaging.” He praised UEFA’s decision to revamp an already successful system, attesting that the changes have indeed enhanced the competition.
“Kudos to UEFA for making the necessary adjustments. Traditionally, there were days where not much was at stake, making it hard to create compelling narratives. This time around, there was inevitable jeopardy throughout the matches, making it an exhilarating viewing experience.”
