AMERICAN IDOL's Luke Bryan and Bobby Bones to Join ABC's Coverage of the NFL Draft

"American Idol" judge Luke Bryan and mentor Bobby Bones will join ABC's first-time prime-time coverage of the NFL Draft, live coast to coast from Nashville, Tennessee, on "2019 NFL DRAFT on ABC," THURSDAY, APRIL 25 (8:00-11:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network and via streaming. Bones will also be seen on the second night of ABC's NFL DRAFT coverage, FRIDAY, APRIL 26 (7:00-11:30 p.m. EDT). Their appearances were announced tonight on ABC's live "American Idol" telecast from Los Angeles.

"Good Morning America"'s Robin Roberts and ESPN's Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit and the entire COLLEGE GAMEDAY Built by The Home Depot eight-time Emmy® Award-winning crew will headline night one of ABC's coverage of the NFL Draft. Davis and Herbstreit will be joined by analysts Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and David Pollack, and reporter Tom Rinaldi on both prime-time telecasts. Along with Roberts, the "2019 NFL DRAFT on ABC" will also feature ESPN's Jesse Palmer and Maria Taylor, and a number of special guests.

Bryan will join the GameDay hosts on night one, while Bones will serve as roving reporter from the streets of Nashville on both nights, sharing the enthusiasm of the city, fans' passion and provide a behind-the-scenes look of THE NFL DRAFT for viewers at home. As previously announced, Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback and 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes also will be a special guest with Roberts before Round 1 of THE NFL DRAFT kicks off.

The NFL DRAFT will be a reunion for Bryan and College GameDay, as Bryan served as the show's guest picker during the show's 2018 season-opening episode on Saturday, Sept. 1.

ABC will provide differentiated coverage for Rounds 1-3 in prime time that focuses on THE JOURNEY of THE NFL DRAFT prospects, as viewers go up close and personal to understand the part their families play in their success and the hard work involved in attempting to become an NFL DRAFT selection. In addition, ABC broadcasts will center on the energy and excitement of the complete event, as coverage will include celebrity appearances and other nods to the host city of Nashville.

ABC will simulcast ESPN's telecast of Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 27, beginning at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

Schedule:

Thursday, April 25 (8:00-11:30 p.m. EDT): NFL Draft, Round 1 - ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio

Friday, April 26 (7:00-11:30 p.m. EDT): NFL Draft, Rounds 2 and 3 - ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio

Saturday, April 27 (12:00-7:00 p.m. EDT): NFL Draft, Rounds 4-7 - ABC (simulcast of ESPN telecast), ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio

For more information on ESPN and the NFL Draft, visit ESPN Press Room.

Popular ESPN programs like "Golic and Wingo," "Get Up!," "First Take," "NFL Live," "College GameDay" and more also will originate from Nashville. A complete schedule is forthcoming.

Photo credit - Luke Bryan: ABC/Craig Sjodin; Bobby Bones: ABC/Eric McCandless

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