Seth Udinski, FISM News
On Monday, the NFL announced its launch of a new smartphone streaming service called “NFL+,” a platform that will give the sports giant more revenue streams and give consumers greater flexibility of how to watch their favorite team.
The @NFL Launches NFL+ TODAY
*Live local & primetime regular season and postseason games on mobile & tablet
*Live out-of-market preseason games across all devices
*Premium version includes features of product formerly known as NFL Game Pass
Release: https://t.co/XJJ9sqeQOw pic.twitter.com/wDoYH56FpD
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) July 25, 2022
At a price of $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, the service offers access to all out-of-market preseason games, as well as access to all prime time and in-market regular season contests. It also gives viewers access to the NFL Films archives and NFL Network talk shows.
The question many fans are asking is if the new streaming service will eventually replace nationally televised games, meaning patrons would be required to subscribe in order to watch any games at all. While all entertainment seems to be moving to this piecemeal means of streaming content, the NFL will not have the ability to move in that direction in the near future, as the league’s current television rights contract with major networks will not terminate for at least the next seven years.
Still, the league has said it could be a possibility. Hans Schroeder, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NFL Media, addressed that question, saying, “It’s another option we’ll consider with all of our other options. We are really excited about where NFL+ can go. As quickly as media and the sports distribution business continues to change and evolve, there are lots of different factors.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed this sentiment, saying, “We look forward to continuing to grow NFL+ and deepening our relationship with fans across all ages and demographics, providing them access to a tremendous amount of NFL content, including the most valuable content in the media industry: live NFL games.”