NFL Finalizes New Media Rights Deals, Including Thursday Night games on Amazon Prime
The NFL has completed its new long-term media distribution deals, the league announced Thursday. The new agreements impact all of the league’s distribution partners, but Amazon and Disney were the two clear winners.
Amazon Prime Video will now be the exclusive home of the Thursday Night Football package, although games will still be shown over-the-air in the respective local markets. It is the league’s first ever all-digital package.
As for Disney, they have added to their already lucrative Monday Night Football package. Not only will they broadcast exclusive regular season games in addition to Monday Night Football, but Disney is also getting a pair of Super Bowls in 2026 and 2030 that will also air on ABC.
CBS will continue carry the league’s AFC package of games on Sunday afternoons. Those games will also be simulcast on their streaming platform Paramount+. CBS will televise Super Bowls in 2023, 2027 and 2031.
FOX has held on to its right to broadcast the NFC slate of games on Sundays. They have been granted Super Bowls in 2024, 2028 and 2032.
NBC retains their rights to Sunday Nighy Football, and will also broadcast exclusive games on its Peacock streaming service over the life of the agreement.
The league has also created an increased ability to flex games, a move aimed at “allowing fans to watch more meaningful games in primetime.”
Alternate and interactive broadcasts will be sticking around as well with ESPN’s MegaCast and CBS’ Nickelodeon games here to stay.
One key item left out of the league’s released was the status of the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which has been distributed by DirectTV. Neither the company nor the property were mentioned in the release.
According to WFAN’s Craig Carton, the Sunday Ticket Package will be leaving DirectTV after 2023 and scooped up by ESPN+ in another massive get by Disney.
Directv is out of the NFL and ESPN+ gets it
— Craig Carton (@craigcartonlive) March 18, 2021
Amazon Prime exclusive home of Thursday Night Football
11 year deal opt out after 7 ESPN, CBS, FOX and NBC continue doing their games
“These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love. We’re proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the League and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game.”
Not only do the new agreements ensure the salary cap will grow significantly in 2022, but they all but confirm the league’s expansion to a 17-game regular season this year.
Financial details of the new deals have yet to be released. It will begin with the 2023 season and end in 2033.
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