<P> Debuting on November 23 , 2006 , the telecasts were originally part of NFL Network 's Run to the Playoffs package , which consisted of eight total games broadcast on Thursday and Saturday nights ( five on Thursdays , and three on Saturdays , originally branded as Saturday Night Football ) during the latter portion of the season . Since 2012 , the TNF package has begun during the second week of the NFL season ; the NFL Kickoff Game and the Thanksgiving primetime game are both broadcast as part of NBC Sports ' Sunday Night Football contract and are not included in Thursday Night Football , although the Thanksgiving primetime game was previously part of the package from 2006 until 2011 . </P>
<P> Debuting on November 23 , 2006 , the telecasts were originally part of NFL Network 's Run to the Playoffs package , which consisted of eight total games broadcast on Thursday and Saturday nights ( five on Thursdays , and three on Saturdays , originally branded as Saturday Night Football ) during the latter portion of the season . Since 2012 , the TNF package has begun during the second week of the NFL season ; the NFL Kickoff Game and the Thanksgiving primetime game are both broadcast as part of NBC Sports ' Sunday Night Football contract and are not included in Thursday Night Football , although the Thanksgiving primetime game was previously part of the package from 2006 until 2011 . </P>
how long has the nfl been doing thursday night football
how long has the nfl been doing thursday night football
November 23 , 2006
November 23 , 2006