Al Michaels Kicks Off Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football with AI-Driven Enhancements and Halftime Spotlight

Green Bay, WI (Sept. 11, 2025) - Legendary play-by-play announcer Al Michaels inaugurated Amazon Prime Video’s fourth season of Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field, previewing the schedule and unveiling new AI tools during CNBC’s Halftime Report ahead of the Commanders-Packers matchup.

Why it matters At age 80 and entering his 40th NFL season in prime-time, Michaels remains a central figure in sports broadcasting. His endorsement of innovative features such as “Pocket Health” and the “End of Game” suite underscores Prime Video’s push to blend traditional commentary with real-time data, enhancing viewer engagement and reflecting evolving fan expectations.

Halftime Report Preview

  • On CNBC’s Halftime Report, Michaels praised Prime Video’s “best schedule ever,” citing marquee matchups against the Dolphins, Bills and Chiefs and highlighting his excitement for the season opener in Green Bay.
  • He fielded questions from host Josh Brown, even discussing the intersection of sports and finance with trademark wit and insight.

AI Tools Transforming the Broadcast

Prime Video’s “Pocket Health” uses AI to quantify the threat defensive pass rushers pose to quarterbacks, while the “End of Game” package delivers scenario-based analysis-such as punt-force timing and knee-down calculations-beyond standard win-probability metrics. These features aim to answer the fan’s primary question: “How does my team win?”

A Career Defined by Adaptation

After three decades at ABC and NBC, Michaels embraced streaming in 2022. His move to Amazon signaled a willingness to evolve alongside the industry, lending gravitas to the platform’s bold foray into sports entertainment. At 80, his year-to-year contract reflects mutual confidence in his enduring appeal and Prime Video’s commitment to top-tier talent.

Looking Ahead

Tonight’s game between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers marks Amazon’s first NFL broadcast of the week, with Michaels joined by analyst Kirk Herbstreit and sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung in the booth. The network anticipates robust viewership, building on last season’s record-setting streams and targeting a younger demographic with data-driven storytelling.

Prime Video’s integration of narrative-driven commentary and advanced analytics under Michaels’ leadership sets a new standard for live sports coverage, blending the familiar warmth of a veteran broadcaster’s voice with cutting-edge technology to shape the future of football telecasts.