The National Football League today announced a multi-year deal with Google that grants YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels exclusive rights to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to U.S. consumers beginning with the 2023 NFL season. This strategic partnership will give fans better access to NFL Sunday Ticket while leveraging the best of YouTube’s technology and product innovations.
“We’re excited to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels and usher in a new era of watching and following the NFL for fans across America,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We’ve been focused on increasing the digital distribution of our games for years, and this partnership is yet another example of how we’re looking to the future and nurturing the next generation of NFL fans.”
“YouTube has long been a is home for football fans, whether they’re streaming a game, learning about the home team, or watching the action,” said YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki. “By expanding our partnership with the NFL, viewers can now also experience the games they love in engaging and innovative ways through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels. We’re excited to continue our partnership with the NFL and make YouTube a great place for sports fans everywhere “
Beginning next season, NFL Sunday Ticket will offer YouTube Primetime on two of YouTube’s growing subscription businesses as an add-on package to YouTube TV and as a standalone à la carte menu channel.
Included on FOX and CBS, NFL Sunday Ticket gives fans in the US the ability to follow all of their favorite teams and players, no matter where they live. Updated NFL Sunday Ticket product features and functionality will be announced prior to the 2023 NFL season.
The NFL Sunday Ticket was introduced in 1994 and has been distributed since the inception of the DirecTV satellite service. The NFL and YouTube will work together to identify additional ways to support the distribution of NFL Sunday Tickets in commercial venues such as bars and restaurants.
The NFL and Google have been partners since the league first launched its official NFL channel on YouTube in 2015. Since then, the NFL YouTube channel has over 10 million subscribers enjoying clips, highlights, game day compilations and exclusive original content series like NFL Follies
and NFL Films’ Two-time Emmy winner series Gameday All-Access , a player show with microphones that brings fans together for exclusive viewing from the sidelines Access during games .
Since 2015, the NFL presence on YouTube has grown to include channels from all 32 NFL clubs, as well as ten official league channels, including NFL Movies, NFL Network and NFL’s Spanish channel, Mundo NFL. NFL content on YouTube has generated billions of views since the NFL/YouTube partnership began.
In 2020, the NFL expanded its partnership with a transportation agreement to bring NFL Network and NFL RedZone to YouTube TV subscribers. In accordance with the expanded relationship, the transfer agreement has been extended.
YouTube continues to be an important channel for NFL fans around the world to access NFL content and this new agreement will see a broader commitment to working together with the NFL’s international fanbase. This will include adding content to the NFL Channel, creating NFL international programming on the YouTube platform, and creating a creator content program for select top YouTube creators around the world.
“As Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and chairman of the NFL Media Council, said, the way fans enjoy NFL football is evolving in a changing media landscape, with innovations like YouTube The partnership will ensure more games are available to more fans. Growing our game for future generations so they can play the sport they love.”
Additionally, as part of the agreement In part, YouTube and the NFL will facilitate exclusive access to official content and participation opportunities for select YouTube creators at key NFL events. YouTube is also now a sponsor of Back Together Saturday and NFL Kickoff Weekend. Back Together Saturday It’s official from the league that all 32 NFL clubs will officially begin training camp when they train at club-led fan events. YouTube’s sponsorship of NFL Kickoff Weekend marks the first time a league partner will be present at Thursday night’s season kickoff, game weekend and Monday night’s exciting
YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that allows viewers to watch live and on-demand TV from over 100 channels in one simple, award-winning experience. Viewers can access local and national live sports, breaking news, shows, movies and more on any screen ( phone, tablet, TV, computer) . With over 5 million subscribers and trials, YouTube TV offers features like unlimited cloud DVR storage, watching major sports, hiding spoilers and viewing real-time stats.
YouTube Primetime Channels is a new way for users to subscribe and watch content from their favorite streaming service directly on the YouTube app. With more than 30 channels, users can browse, register and watch their favorite shows, movies, sports and more. With so many streaming options these days, Primetime Channels makes it easier for viewers to watch their content in one place without jumping from app to app, all while managing their subscriptions in one place.
The NFL is the most popular live TV content in all sports and entertainment. Over the past five years, 49 of the top 50 most-watched shows and 92 of the top 100 most-watched shows on US television have been NFL games.
