ESPN just changed its Monday Night Football scorebug, and football fans are already tearing it apart.
That got me thinking about a bigger question: after looking back at more than 15 years of football graphics from ESPN, CBS, FOX, NBC, Prime Video and streaming platforms, who actually got the scorebug right?
In this article I go through how football scorebugs evolved, what makes some designs work, why others become distracting, and how broadcast graphics have changed as television has moved toward streaming. It follows my video on the same topic.
Watch the Full Scorebug Video
If you’d rather watch than read, here’s the complete breakdown, including the scorebug I’ve been working on myself at the end.
ESPN’s New Scorebug
ESPN’s new Monday Night Football graphics package got a loud reaction from fans almost immediately. Before judging it, it helps to see where scorebugs came from, because the one you’re watching football through today didn’t happen overnight.
How Football Scorebugs Evolved
A scorebug is the small graphic that shows the score, clock, down and distance, and timeouts while the game is on. Over more than 15 years, the networks have redesigned theirs again and again.
In the video I look back at the graphics from ESPN, CBS, FOX, NBC, Prime Video and streaming football broadcasts, including some older designs worth revisiting.
Why Scorebug Design Changed
Scorebugs are the result of years of redesigns, experiments, changing screen sizes, new broadcast technology, and plenty of fan reactions. As television has moved toward streaming, graphics have to work on more screens, from a living-room TV to a phone.
FOX, NBC, ESPN and Prime Video Compared
Each network has its own approach. I compare how they handle the same job: showing the information fans need without getting in the way of the game.
ESPN’s New 2026 Scorebug
This is the design that started the conversation. I walk through ESPN’s newest NFL graphics package and compare it with the other networks and streaming platforms.
What Makes a Good Scorebug?
Some designs work and others become distracting. When I judge a scorebug, I look at whether it is:
- Easy to read at a glance, on any screen size.
- Out of the way of the action.
- Consistent across the broadcast.
So, who actually got it right?
I give my answer in the video. Which network do you think has the best football scorebug right now? Let me know in the YouTube comments.
My Own Football Scorebug
At the end of the video, I show a scorebug I’ve been working on myself. If you’re into livestreaming, sports broadcast production, OBS or ATEM workflows, there’s more like this on the channel.
Gear and Tools I Use
Blackmagic ATEM Mini Extreme ISO
The switcher I use for my live production work.
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SanDisk Extreme PRO 2TB SSD
Fast storage for video projects.
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SDI Cables
The cables I use to connect my broadcast gear.
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Sources and References
- KeepTheScore: Score Bugs in Live Sports Broadcasts
- NewscastStudio: CBS NFL Score Bug Update 2025
- NewscastStudio: ESPN Debuts New NFL Graphics and Score Bug
- College Football Network: Fan Reaction to ESPN’s New Score Bug
- Yahoo Sports: NFL Week 1 Red Flags vs Green Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a scorebug?
A scorebug is the on-screen graphic that shows the score and game information during a live sports broadcast.
Why did ESPN change its Monday Night Football scorebug?
ESPN debuted a new NFL graphics package for 2026, and fans reacted to it right away. I break it down in the video.
Which network has the best football scorebug?
I share my pick in the video, and I’d like to hear yours in the comments on YouTube.
Have you made your own scorebug?
Yes. I show the one I’ve been working on at the end of the video.
Final Thoughts
A good scorebug gets out of the way and still tells you everything you need. If you want my full take on who got it right, watch the video on YouTube.
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