Nightcap
The 6th Annual Awards
- Best Use of Live Video
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
No more waiting until morning. "Nightcap with Unc and Ocho" is the new nightly sports talk destination with NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Hang out with Unc and Ocho as they give their unfiltered takes on the latest headlines in pro and college football, and give their instant reactions to the biggest games moments after they end.
How does this represent “Excellence in Engagement”?
Now truly in its prime, the show has become known for its viral antics. Whether it’s debating football, prenups, or Selena Gomez, the show’s blend of humor and commentary is the perfect combination for our digital age. We could listen to the two talk about nearly anything: Chad Johnson’s hairline, his love for flying Spirit, or his bizarre home remedies for a swollen ankle. Moments like these sprinkled in between detailed, expert-led sports analyses establish Nightcap as a one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment podcast breaking the mold and setting a new standard for fan engagement. This also represents a new era for Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson’s careers. This project is a brainchild of Sharpe’s, borne from years of immersion in the busy world of sports media. The instantaneous nature of the program matches the quickening pace of sports content and the media world at large in our digital era. Sharpe’s vision for the show was to bring better, more fun, dynamic, and engaging commentary to fans immediately after the game, and Nightcap has more than delivered.
Objective
"Nightcap" is the new nightly sports talk destination with NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Sharpe and Johnson give their unfiltered takes on the latest headlines in sports and instant reactions to the biggest games moments after they end. The impetus for this show came about following Shannon Sharpe joining Colin Cowherd’s The Volume in 2023. Recently departed from his network mainstay, Undisputed, the footballer was looking for a home for his Shay Shay Media enterprise and found new synergy at The Volume. Home to more than twenty of the biggest audio shows in sports media, the network collaborated with Sharpe to launch a brand new show in September 2023: Nightcap. The key to the success of this new venture was showing a different side of Sharpe that viewers normally do not get to see on network television. To support the show, The Volume team aimed to maximize hype, building a complex social and digital presence via live video and cross-platform promotion. With a laser focus on growth, The Volume has solidified Nightcap as the definitive first and best post-game reaction show for NFL and NBA games.
Strategy & Execution
Pioneers in empowering athlete storytellers, Nightcap’s home network, The Volume, has curated a diversified profile of content for its audience to enjoy across verticals. Nightcap is no exception, delivering The Volume’s signature depth of coverage to its varied fanbases. Fans hunger for immediate analysis and discussions, and “Nightcap” cuts through the clutter as a go-to source for real-time sports insights— and, well, everything else. From a content perspective, the show is engaging and dynamic, putting Shannon opposite long-time friend Chad Johnson in a casual, low-key setting. The result gives the two icons the freedom to show off their entertainment bonafide— talking more than just sports. Another breakthrough for the show came with innovative digital and social strategy, positioning Nightcap as the quickest post-game reaction show in the entertainment space. Nightcap prioritizes giving the viewers a timely and engaging analysis rooted in the complexities of the craft and moments in culture rather than bemoaning tactics or point-tallying. The show boasts a first-of-its-kind promise to go live within 10 minutes of all game endings. In a media landscape where information moves at lightning speed, Nightcap finds itself at the cutting edge - a truly modern podcast for the sports fans of today.
Celebrate in NYC
Join us for the 6th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 6, 2024 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.
