YouTube Is Getting the NFL – What Does It Mean for Football Fans?
The NFL is a huge sport in the United States, and fans love to watch the games. Now, you can watch them on your television. YouTube has just started streaming the NFL games for free. This could be a huge change for football fans around the world.
Amazon
In a move that will make NFL Sunday Ticket one of the most sought-after live sports packages, YouTube has secured a multi-year deal to distribute the package. The deal is believed to be worth at least $100 million over the next decade, according to reports.
Google has beaten out Amazon, Apple and other tech giants to secure the rights to Sunday Ticket. While the deal doesn’t include commercial rights, YouTube is reportedly in advanced talks with the NFL about distributing the package.
YouTube TV allows subscribers to watch games live on CBS, Fox and NBC. It also includes national news networks and movie channels, including Disney Junior, Paramount and Cartoon Network.
YouTube TV is a good alternative to DirecTV and other pay TV providers. But it doesn’t offer the same level of service as the other platforms.
The NFL has reached a series of deals with big technology companies that will increase the value of its streaming rights. The league is also in discussions with other potential commercial partners, and will likely sell some of its commercial rights.
YouTube’s deal with the NFL is the first step in a broader effort to expand the company’s presence in live sports, as it looks to grow its overall audience. With Sunday Ticket, YouTube will be able to hook people into paying for more than just a package.
YouTube TV has a smaller reach than Apple or other major entertainment companies, but it’s still got more than 5 million subscribers. There’s also a free promotional trial to test the service out.
YouTube will also be the presenting sponsor for two new NFL original series. These will be broadcast globally, including an NFL International show featuring top YouTube creators.
Although there are still a lot of details to be determined, YouTube has a lot to look forward to. It’s already the presenting sponsor of the Super Bowl halftime show and will get access to the best YouTube creators around the world.
This is one of the biggest wins the NFL has landed in a generation, and it cements a massive leap in the value of the NFL’s streaming rights.
Apple
In the end, Apple and the NFL could not reach an agreement. This has left Alphabet (Google) in the catbird seat for a mega-media deal. And it’s one that will benefit YouTube.
Google’s YouTube TV isn’t considered to be a huge player in the sports world, but it has the size and reach that no entertainment company can match. It also has a streaming service that rivals any cable package.
YouTube will also have the ability to bring NFL games to viewers outside of their home markets. That’s a big deal. Consumers have begun cutting the cord and streaming services have been booming.
For many, this is a sign that the media industry has shifted to the streaming model. The NFL’s current deal with DirecTV will expire at the end of the 2022 season. But the league is reportedly pursuing a license to broadcast Sunday Ticket in bars and restaurants for $200 million.
Apple was once the front-runner for the contract. They wanted to offer NFL games on Sundays in a mixed reality headset. However, the NFL was unwilling to give them the features they were asking for.
A big reason for the failure of the deal was the cost. Despite rumors that Apple wanted to pay less, the NFL allegedly wanted $2.5 billion for each season. Fortunately, Google was willing to do it for a higher price.
Google’s plan is to offer a stand-alone NFL Sunday Ticket option on YouTube Primetime Channels. Users will have the option to watch individual channels or all of the available programming.
Those who want to watch the best of the games on YouTube will have to subscribe to YouTube TV or YouTube Plus. Both will carry NFL games during the week, though they won’t offer the full NFL experience.
YouTube says it will have NFL Sunday Ticket product features to announce ahead of the 2023 season. YouTube Creators will also be invited to events for NFL games and other shows. Hopefully, they’ll come up with some incentives to entice new subscribers.
The NFL has had negotiations going on for years, and Apple’s exit is just the latest development. With the right deal, YouTube could be a powerhouse in the sports world.
DirecTV
The NFL Sunday Ticket package has been available on DirecTV since 1994. With the new deal, it will be available through YouTube. That means the final piece of the league’s media rights package will be leaving the satellite service.
For the past two years, live sports have exploded in popularity on streaming services. In fact, NFL games average about 16 million viewers during the first half of the season. There are a few other major games televised on streaming services, including UEFA Champions League on CBS Sports, NBA and MLB on Major League Baseball, and Paramount+’s Spanish-language coverage of the World Cup.
Google, meanwhile, has made a significant play in the world of sports streaming. It’s planning to spend $2 billion per year for the residential rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket package.
Google plans to use the NFL to get consumers away from cable set-top boxes and onto its YouTube TV platform. YouTube has already been expanding its live sports content, but the deal could help boost the value of its package.
The NFL is also trying to cash in on the commercial rights. The NFL is rumored to be seeking up to $200 million in additional payments from the industry. Rather than keeping the commercial rights in-house, the NFL is seeking a partner who can provide them.
As part of the new agreement, YouTube will pay a performance-based fee. Google says it needs at least eight million subscribers to cover the rights fee.
But while Google will pay for the rights to the NFL’s Sunday Ticket package, it will not have access to the game itself. Instead, it will be an add-on to the YouTube Primetime Channels, which provides streaming services on the YouTube app.
This is an exciting new development in the sport of NFL. The game’s broadcasts tower above all other programming. And it’s a good chance for YouTube to become a dominant player in the world of sports streaming.
The deal is expected to begin with the 2023 season. It’s unclear how the agreement will affect DirecTV, which has about two million subscribers to its NFL package.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that allows you to watch live football games, national news networks, college basketball, and more. You can also watch your favorite shows on the service, and use its cloud DVR to record your favorite episodes.
The NFL is the most popular sports league in the world, and YouTube TV is one of the best ways to watch football. In addition to games, you’ll get access to official league content, such as NFL Now, NFL Total Access, and live studio shows.
NFL Sunday Ticket, the official streaming service of the NFL, is also available on YouTube TV. This package will allow you to watch out-of-market games, and you can subscribe to it as an add-on to your YouTube Primetime Channels subscription.
The NFL package on YouTube TV is $55 per month. If you’re interested in adding additional channels, you can add the Sports Plus add-on. It includes add-ons for college sports, regional sports networks, and more.
As part of your base membership, you’ll also receive NFL RedZone. This is a streaming service that offers NFL Network’s live game telecasts, as well as NFL scoring plays, scoring runs, and scoring plays from the previous season. Only eight hours of the live program can be recorded at a time.
NFL Network will be available on YouTube TV starting today. Along with live NFL games, it will include the league’s award-winning original content series.
You can also watch live college football games, including NCAA basketball, as well as select 4K games. YouTube TV has several regional sports networks, but it does not carry Bally Sports. However, it does carry ESPN and CBS.
While some games may be restricted for travel, YouTube TV’s basic plan is fairly comprehensive. It also has add-ons for sports fans, including a subscription to the NFL Game Pass. Depending on the size of your cable provider’s library, you might have to pay extra for out-of-market games.
YouTube TV is a great option for those who want to watch football on the go. However, it lacks many sports coverage options for local fans.
