The duration of a televised professional American football game extends beyond the strictly timed 60 minutes of play. Factors inherent in the structure of the game and the requirements of broadcast media contribute to the total viewing time. These elements encompass mandated commercial breaks, halftime entertainment, injury timeouts, official reviews, and the natural stoppages of play between downs. As such, the total time required to view a complete National Football League (NFL) broadcast will predictably exceed the actual playing time.
The necessity for commercial airtime is a significant influence on the overall length of the broadcast. These breaks provide revenue for television networks and are integrated into the game schedule at pre-determined intervals. Further, network pre-game and post-game shows add to the overall television time commitment. Historically, the increase in television coverage has coincided with increased revenue for the league and greater exposure for the sport, which makes the integration of commercials a cornerstone of the professional football experience on television.