The SVOD service’s launch adds another layer of complexity to an already dizzying NFL broadcast landscape. NFL+ has two paid tiers, both are available through the existing NFL app. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included — and also of what’s not.
This few-frills tier offers live, out-of-market preseason games; live audio for every game of the season; plus ad-free, on-demand NFL library programming, available on all devices, including smart TVs. Most of the NFL+ games used to be available for free on the NFL app and Yahoo Sports. Because if anybody needs the money, it’s the NFL. The premium tier, at $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year, adds full and condensed game replays for all games across all devices, plus coaches’ film. The package replaces features previously available on NFL Game Pass, which as of now is no longer offered in the U.S. The NFL season, including pre- and postseason, runs from (generously) August to February, making the annual option(s) less automatic than an extra point. The biggest NFL fans will continue to need a subscription to Sunday Ticket, which offers out-of-market games that don’t air nationally in primetime. The service will continue to be available exclusively on DirecTV until the end of the upcoming season; for the first time since Sunday Ticket’s 1990s launch, the satellite provider isn’t in the running for the rights.
“The passionate and dedicated football fans are the lifeblood of the NFL, and being able to reach and interact with them across multiple platforms is incredibly important to us,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday. “We look forward to continuing to grow NFL+ and deepening our relationship with fans across all ages and demographics, providing them access to a tremendous amount of NFL content, including the most valuable content in the media industry: live NFL games.” The pricey sports-on-streaming invasion all comes down to the fact that the NFL is still the surest bet on linear TV and a big advertising moneymaker: Viewership last season was up about 10 percent. Touchdown. Nothing this side(line) of probably “Stranger Things” and “Bridgerton” can say the same. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
