Amazon Prime to Exclusively Stream NFL Playoff Game in 2024-2025 Season
Amazon Prime has secured the rights to exclusively stream an NFL playoff game during the 2024-2025 season, making it the first time the e-commerce giant will be airing such a highly anticipated event. This move comes after the success of Peacock’s wild card game coverage between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, which drew in an impressive 23 million viewers.
The decision by Amazon to delve into the world of sports streaming comes at a time of fierce competition in the industry. Disney’s ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. have recently announced plans to launch their own sports streaming service, signaling a trend towards digital platforms for sports viewing.
Amazon’s venture into sports streaming has already shown promising results. The company’s coverage of Thursday night football saw a 24% increase in viewership this year, highlighting the growing popularity of digital sports content.
It is interesting to note that Amazon had the opportunity to stream the Chiefs-Dolphins Wild Card game but initially declined. The Wall Street Journal reported that NBCUniversal, which paid a hefty sum of $110 million for the rights to the streaming-only playoff game, had hoped to continue its partnership. However, Amazon exercised its right of first refusal, a perk granted through its existing Thursday Night Football agreement with the NFL.
The Chiefs-Dolphins game was a monumental moment for the streaming service Peacock, attracting an estimated 2.8 million new sign-ups in the three days leading up to the matchup. This acquisition of subscribers marked the most significant boost the platform has ever witnessed.
While some fans expressed frustration at having to subscribe to another streaming service to access the game, the NFL expressed satisfaction with the record-breaking viewership numbers and indicated its willingness to pursue further streaming exclusives in the future.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the partnership with Peacock, emphasizing the importance of accommodating changing viewing habits. He stated, “To best serve our fans, we need to ensure games are available to them as their viewing habits change and this includes digital distribution as we continue to help shape the future of the sports and entertainment industry.”
As the streaming wars intensify, Amazon Prime’s foray into exclusive NFL playoff game streaming is a significant move that solidifies the company’s position as a key player in the highly competitive sports streaming landscape.
Analyst comment
Positive news:
– Amazon Prime securing rights to exclusively stream an NFL playoff game is a major milestone and highly anticipated event.
– Amazon’s venture into sports streaming has shown promising results and increased viewership.
– The partnership with Peacock for the Chiefs-Dolphins game saw record-breaking viewership numbers and a significant boost in subscribers.
Short analysis:
Amazon Prime’s move into exclusive NFL playoff game streaming solidifies its position in the highly competitive sports streaming landscape. With increasing viewership and success in digital sports content, Amazon is well-positioned to thrive in the market.
