The NFL’s Bet on Streaming Pays Off
The National Football League (NFL) has made a significant bet on streaming, and it’s paying off in a big way. The league’s executive vice president of media distribution, Hans Schroeder, recently spoke at the CNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan sports business event, highlighting the NFL’s push to grow its audience through exclusive streaming deals.
A Journey to Streaming
The NFL’s journey to streaming began over 15 years ago, when the league met with Steve Jobs, the former CEO of Apple, to discuss the impact of mobile devices on consumers. This meeting led the NFL to retain the rights for live games on mobile phones, a decision that paved the way for the league’s current focus on streaming.
Exclusive Streaming Deals
The NFL has signed several exclusive streaming deals with media companies, including Amazon Prime Video, Google’s YouTube TV, Comcast’s NBCUniversal, and Netflix. These deals have allowed the league to expand its reach and grow its audience.
Success Stories
One of the most notable success stories is the NFL Wild Card game that aired exclusively on Peacock earlier this year. The game was the most-streamed live event in history, with 27.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen. The game’s success was a significant milestone for the NFL and its streaming strategy.
Global Expansion
The NFL is not only focused on growing its audience in the United States but also expanding its reach globally. The league has played games overseas, including a recent game in Brazil that was available exclusively on Peacock. The game averaged 14 million viewers, demonstrating the league’s ability to attract a global audience.
Traditional TV and Streaming
While the majority of the NFL’s media rights deals are with traditional broadcast partners, the league is also committed to growing its fanbase through streaming. Schroeder emphasized that the NFL’s strategy exists in both the traditional TV and streaming worlds, but the league is focused on moving in the same direction as consumers, which is toward streaming.
Conclusion
The NFL’s bet on streaming has paid off, and the league is reaping the rewards. With exclusive streaming deals and a focus on global expansion, the NFL is poised to continue growing its audience and staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing sports media landscape.
FAQs
Q: What is the NFL’s strategy for growing its audience?
A: The NFL is focused on growing its audience through exclusive streaming deals and global expansion.
Q: What is the most-streamed live event in history?
A: The NFL Wild Card game that aired exclusively on Peacock earlier this year, with 27.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen.
Q: What is the NFL’s plan for global expansion?
A: The NFL is playing games overseas and has signed deals with international streaming partners to expand its reach globally.
Q: How does the NFL plan to balance its traditional TV and streaming strategies?
A: The NFL’s strategy exists in both the traditional TV and streaming worlds, but the league is focused on moving in the same direction as consumers, which is toward streaming.
Q: What is the NFL’s plan for the future of streaming?
A: The NFL has signed deals with streaming partners, including Netflix, to air games on their platforms, and plans to continue growing its audience through streaming.
Author: www.cnbc.com
Orginal Source link