NBCUniversal has inked a deal with the NFL to stream Sunday Night Football action to mobile devices though its NBC TV Everywhere app beginning with the 2018 season.
NBC had already been streaming those games to desktops, tablets, and connected TVs, but next season marks the first time it has rights to stream to mobile phones.
The deal comes a week after Verizon announced a new multi-year distribution agreement with the NFL that forfeited the carrier’s exclusive rights to stream NFL games to mobile phones. Under Verizon’s deal, worth an estimated $2.25 billion, the operator can stream NFL games on its media platforms including Yahoo, Yahoo Sports, and go90, but now fans can stream games to their phone regardless of carrier.
NBC, meanwhile, is allowed to extend its NFL streaming rights to its traditional MVPD and virtual MVPD partners.
NBC’s Sunday Night Football mobile stream will include national and local affiliate advertising for the first time, according to the announcement. Ads sold by NBC will also be seen when its games are viewed on Verizon and NFL mobile platforms.
“This is an exciting day for NBC Sports. We have been streaming Sunday Night Football on numerous platforms since 2008, but as a result of this agreement, 2018 will be the first time we can stream primetime television’s No. 1 show on all digital platforms, creating a more seamless viewing experience for NFL fans,” Rick Cordella, EVP and general manager of digital media at NBC Sports Group, said in a statement. “In addition to fans, this mobile agreement benefits our distribution partners, local affiliates, and advertisers, as it significantly extends SNF’s digital reach.”
