Google announce deal to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube

NFL and Google partner to bring fans the next generation of NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV & YouTube Primetime Channels

The NFL announced today a multi-year arrangement with Google under which YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels would exclusively deliver NFL Sunday Ticket to consumers in the United States beginning with the 2023 NFL season. This strategic alliance will increase fan access to NFL Sunday Ticket while using the best of YouTube’s technology and product innovation.

“We’re excited to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels and usher in a new era of how fans across the United States watch and follow the NFL,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “For a number of years we have been focused on increased digital distribution of our games and this partnership is yet another example of us looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL fans.”

“YouTube has long been a home for football fans, whether they’re streaming live games, keeping up with their home team, or watching the best plays in highlights,” said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube. “Through this expanded partnership with the NFL, viewers will now also be able to experience the game they love in compelling and innovative ways through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels. We’re excited to continue our work with the NFL to make YouTube a great place for sports lovers everywhere.”

NFL Sunday Ticket will be accessible on two of Google’s YouTube’s burgeoning subscription businesses beginning next season, as an add-on package on YouTube TV and as a standalone a-la-carte on YouTube Primetime Channels.

NFL Sunday Ticket, which consists of all out-of-market Sunday regular-season NFL games (depending on viewer location) broadcast on FOX and CBS, allowing fans in the United States to follow all of their favourite teams and players no matter where they live. Before the 2023 NFL season, updated NFL Sunday Ticket product features and functionality will be introduced.

NFL Sunday Ticket debuted in 1994 and has been available on DirecTV’s satellite service ever since. The NFL and YouTube will collaborate to find more ways to improve NFL Sunday Ticket distribution at commercial businesses such as pubs and restaurants.

Since 2015, when the NFL created its official NFL channel on YouTube, the NFL and Google have been partners. Since then, the NFL YouTube channel has grown to over 10 million subscribers who enjoy clips, highlights, game-day compilations, and exclusive original content series like NFL Follies and NFL Film’s two-time Emmy award-winning flagship series Gameday All-Access, a mic’d up players show that takes fans inside the huddle and on the sidelines for exclusive access during the game.

Since 2015, the NFL’s google’s YouTube presence has grown to include channels for each of the 32 NFL clubs, as well as ten official League channels such as NFL Films, NFL Network, and the NFL’s Hispanic channel, Mundo NFL. NFL programming on YouTube has received billions of views since the partnership’s inception.

The NFL and YouTube TV expanded their cooperation in 2020 with a carriage agreement that would offer NFL Network and NFL RedZone to YouTube TV customers. The carriage agreement has been extended as part of the expanding connection.

“As the ways fans enjoy NFL football evolve in a changing media landscape, partnerships with innovators like YouTube will ensure that more games are available to more fans.”Robert KraftOwner, New England Patriots and Chairman, NFL’s Media Committee

YouTube continues to be an important outlet for NFL fans worldwide to access NFL content, and this new partnership represents a deeper commitment to collaborate to engage the NFL’s international fanbase. This will include more material on the NFL channel, the production of a bespoke NFL International show available on the YouTube platform, and the development of a creator content programme for a limited group of top YouTube creators worldwide.

“As the ways fans enjoy NFL football evolve in a changing media landscape, partnerships with innovators like YouTube will ensure that more games are available to more fans, said Robert Kraft, Owner of the New England Patriots and Chairman of the NFL’s Media Committee. “This partnership will grow our game for future generations and allow them to follow their favorite sport.”

Additionally, as part of the partnership, YouTube and the NFL will provide select YouTube Creators with exclusive access to official material as well as attendance opportunities at significant NFL tentpole events. YouTube has also become the presenting sponsor of Back Together Saturday and NFL Kickoff Weekend. Back Together Saturday marks the official start of training camp for all 32 NFL clubs, with club-led fan festivities.

YouTube’s presenting sponsorship of NFL Kickoff Weekend marks the first time a League partner will be present from the season’s launch on Thursday night through the weekend games and Monday night, fueling enthusiasm for the season’s start.

YouTube TV is a subscription-based streaming service that allows users to watch live and on-demand television from over 100 channels in a simple and award-winning interface. Viewers can tune in to local and national live sports, breaking news, events, movies, and other programming on any screen (phone, tablet, TV, computer). YouTube TV, which has over 5 million users and trialers, provides features such as unlimited cloud DVR storage space, the opportunity to view crucial sports plays, hide spoilers, and view real-time data.

YouTube Primetime Channels is a new feature that allows users to subscribe to and view content from their favourite streaming services directly within the YouTube app. Users may browse, sign up for, and watch their favourite shows, movies, sports, and more on over 30 channels. With so many streaming alternatives available today, Primetime Channels allows viewers to watch their material in one spot rather than jumping from app to app, while also managing their subscriptions.