NBC Will Stream ‘Sunday Night Football’ To Mobile Phones Starting In 2018
NBCUniversal has acquired rights from the NFL to stream Sunday Night Football through NBC’s “TV Everywhere” offering to mobile phones for the first time, beginning with the 2018 season.
The top-rated weekly games already have been available to cable subscribers via authenticated apps for tablets and connected TVs, but streaming to phones became possible when Verizon recently re-upped with the NFL on a non-exclusive basis. In its announcement, NBCU noted that the ad-supported telecasts would gain expanded reach by passing through Verizon’s network and the NFL’s mobile platforms, as established by the telco’s deal with the league.
Under the deal, NBC, which will broadcast and stream the Super Bowl LII on February 4, can extend authenticated streaming rights to its cable, satellite and telco partners, as well as virtual MVPDs. The mobile stream available on NBCU’s own properties will include national advertising and local affiliate advertising for the first time.
“This is an exciting day for NBC Sports,” said Rick Cordella, EVP and general manager of digital media for NBC Sports Group. “We have been streaming Sunday Night Football on numerous platforms since 2008, but as a result of this agreement, 2018 will be the first time we can stream primetime television’s No. 1 show on all digital platforms, creating a more seamless viewing experience for NFL fans. In addition to fans, this mobile agreement benefits our distribution partners, local affiliates and advertisers, as it significantly extends SNF’s digital reach.”
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