Amazon Prime Video to Exclusively Stream NFL Playoff Game Next Season
Amazon Prime Video, the broadcaster of “Thursday Night Football,” is set to exclusively stream its first-ever NFL playoff game next season, according to The Wall Street Journal. While Amazon was offered a playoff game this season, the company passed on the opportunity. This move comes as part of Amazon’s deal to broadcast “Thursday Night Football” during the 2022 NFL season. This season also saw the NFL’s first-ever streaming-only playoff game, which was available on NBC’s Peacock platform.
NBCUniversal Loses Out on Playoff Game to Amazon
Despite NBCUniversal’s efforts to keep the playoff game for next year, Amazon was able to claim the game due to a clause in its “Thursday Night Football” deal, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The decision to stream the playoff game has been met with criticism from fans who feel that having to pay for an extra service to watch the playoffs is too much. However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the move, citing the changing landscape of media consumption and the need to reach fans on digital streaming platforms.
NFL Commissioner Addresses Criticism and the Importance of Digital Streaming
In response to the backlash, Commissioner Roger Goodell explained the NFL’s decision to stream the playoff game, highlighting the shift of consumers towards digital streaming services. He also emphasized the positive impact of streaming on reaching younger audiences, noting that the Peacock stream of the wild-card matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs reduced the average age of the audience by almost ten years. Goodell emphasized that the NFL still has over 90% of its games available on free television, making it accessible to a wide audience.
No Plans for NFL to Stream the Super Bowl
Despite the growing popularity of streaming, Goodell stated that he does not foresee a scenario where the NFL will stream the Super Bowl during his tenure. He emphasized the league’s commitment to broadcast television, with 90% of games being broadcast on free, over-the-air television. Goodell believes that the broad reach of broadcast television is a key factor in the massive viewership of the Super Bowl, with over 200 million people watching the game in the United States alone.
NFL’s Success and Commitment to Broadcast Television
Goodell reiterated the NFL’s commitment to broadcast television, stating that it is one of the secrets to the league’s success. He emphasized that no other league or sport comes close to the NFL’s percentage of games available on free television. Goodell believes that the wide availability of games on broadcast television contributes to the massive viewership numbers and the broad reach of the NFL.
In conclusion, Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream an NFL playoff game next season, following its successful broadcasting of “Thursday Night Football” in the 2022 season. Despite criticism, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the move, citing the importance of reaching fans on digital streaming platforms. However, Goodell stated that the NFL has no plans to stream the Super Bowl, emphasizing the league’s commitment to broadcast television and its broad reach.
Analyst comment
News #1: Positive
The market will likely see increased viewership and subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video as they exclusively stream an NFL playoff game next season.
News #2: Neutral
This news does not have a significant impact on the overall market, but there may be some disappointment from NBCUniversal.
News #3: Positive
The market may see increased interest and investment in digital streaming services as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defends the decision to stream the playoff game.
News #4: Negative
There will be no impact on the market as the NFL has no plans to stream the Super Bowl, maintaining its commitment to broadcast television.
News #5: Positive
The market may see continued support for and engagement with the NFL due to its commitment to broadcast television and wide availability of games.
