Amazon Prime Video Secures Exclusive Rights to Stream NFL Playoff Game
Amazon Prime Video has won the rights to stream an NFL playoff game next January, following the success of NBCUniversal’s Peacock in streaming a recent playoff match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins. The deal was confirmed by sources familiar with the discussions between the league and Amazon. The agreement comes after Amazon saw a significant increase in ratings for Thursday Night Football in its second year of exclusive rights. With Amazon Prime Video as the only platform to watch an NFL playoff game next year, it consolidates the trend of live sports moving towards streaming services.
Peacock’s Success Sets the Stage for Amazon Prime Video’s Exclusive Streaming Rights
NBCUniversal’s Peacock drew in 23 million viewers for an exclusive stream of the recent wild-card playoff game, which featured the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins. In addition to its high viewership, the game also accounted for nearly one-third of all internet traffic on the night it was played. Due to its success, NBCU expressed interest in securing rights for a follow-up next season after paying $110 million for the rights to last month’s game. However, Prime Video had the right of first refusal under its existing deal for Thursday night games, ultimately leading to Amazon securing exclusive streaming rights.
The Shift Towards Online-Only Sports Viewing
The move by Amazon Prime Video to stream an NFL playoff game aligns with the increasing trend of live sports going online-only. While this may not sit well with some traditional TV viewers and football fans, the streaming era has seen a shift towards online platforms for sports viewing. In many cases, streaming outlets have served as extensions of linear TV, but there have also been events that are exclusively available online. Major League Baseball, for example, has reached agreements with Apple, Prime Video, and Peacock for exclusive game packages. WWE’s Raw franchise has also made a similar move, transitioning from cable TV to Netflix starting next January.
Financial Terms for the Amazon Prime Video-NFL Deal Remain Unavailable
While details of the financial terms for the 2025 game were not disclosed, sources mentioned that NBCU reportedly paid $110 million for the rights to last month’s playoff game. Comcast, the parent company of NBCU, expressed interest in a follow-up game but was ultimately unable to secure the rights due to Prime Video’s right of first refusal. It remains to be seen how much Amazon paid for the exclusive streaming rights, but its increasing investment in live sports indicates its commitment to expanding its streaming offerings.
Strong Subscriber Growth Ahead of the Playoff Game
Though NBCU and Comcast have not released subscriber numbers related to the playoff game, research firm Antenna reported that there was a significant increase in subscribers leading up to the kickoff. Approximately 2.8 million subscribers signed up for the service in anticipation of the game. This surge in subscribers further highlights the popularity of streaming sports content and the potential for future growth in this space.
Wall Street Journal First to Report on the Prime Video-NFL Deal
The Prime Video-NFL playoff game deal was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The exclusive streaming rights secured by Amazon Prime Video further solidify the company’s position as a prominent player in the sports streaming landscape. With the success of previous streaming events and the demand for live sports content online, this deal marks another victory for the streaming giant.
Analyst comment
Positive news: Amazon Prime Video Secures Exclusive Rights to Stream NFL Playoff Game
As an analyst, it is expected that the market for streaming services will continue to grow with the increasing trend of live sports moving towards online platforms. The exclusive streaming rights secured by Amazon Prime Video further solidify its position in the sports streaming landscape, indicating future growth in this space. With the success of previous streaming events and the demand for live sports content online, this deal is seen as a victory for the streaming giant.
