Apple TV+ has allegedly inked a deal with the National Football League (NFL) to stream “Sunday Ticket” games.
Last year, it was reported that Apple TV+ was in talks with NFL to acquire the rights to stream its “Sunday Ticket” games. However, the Cupertino tech giant was in a bidding competition with companies like Disney and Amazon for the rights. It was also speculated that Apple might have to pay a hefty licensing fee; “DirecTV allegedly pays $1.5 billion a year to the NFL for Sunday Ticket rights and Apple would most likely have to offer a higher number to secure any sort of deal.”
Allegedly, Apple TV+ finalized the deal to offer NFL “Sunday Ticket” games
Recently, Apple TV+ launched its first premium sports slate, the “Friday Night Baseball” games on April 8, 2022, in select regions. And it is all set to offer more live sports events.
According to Matthew Belloni from Puck News, the deal has been finalized between the two parties (Apple TV+ and NFL) but is being kept quiet because of Apple’s well-known secrecy policy to not discuss official plans and products until they are officially announced.
My sources say it’s Apple’s to lose, at this point. (One source told me this weekend that the deal is actually done and is being kept quiet at Apple’s request, which I haven’t confirmed and don’t know for a fact; Apple isn’t commenting.) That would make sense: Even after winning top Emmys and the best picture Oscar, C.E.O. Tim Cook has said Apple is merely in its early days of premium video, and nothing is more premium than NFL football. Plus, it would explain Apple’s recent foray into live events and advertising with MLB games.
Having said that, it must be kept in mind that this information is shared by unspecified sources and has not been officially endorsed by Apple or NFL.
In addition to original movies and shows, the streamer is focusing on offering content for sports fans as well. On April 22, Apple TV+ will debut new docu-series “The Long Game: Bigger Than Basketball” on the life and career of young basketball star Makur, and on April 29, Apple TV+ will premiere a new “Make or Break” docu-series on the 2021 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour and also announced season 2 to cover the 2022 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.
via MacRumors
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