Amazon Scores Historic NFL Playoff Streaming Rights
In a landmark move, Amazon is set to break new ground by streaming an NFL playoff game exclusively for the first time. This marks a significant milestone for the tech giant, which paved its path in NFL streaming as far back as 2017. After securing exclusive streaming rights to Thursday night games in 2022, Amazon has made another bold leap by clinching the playoff deal with the NFL.
The Big Game: Ravens vs. Steelers
This time, Amazon’s Prime Video will showcase a throbbing battle on the gridiron between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The arrangement, finalized back in February, emphasizes Amazon's serious commitment to becoming a heavyweight in live sports broadcasting. The streaming rights came at a hefty price tag of around $150 million, underscoring the growing value of live sports in the streaming wars.
Changing the Playoff Landscape
Traditionally, the NFL playoffs have been a collaborative broadcast effort involving CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, with each network sharing the excitement. Typically, the NFL's six wild-card matchups are split amongst these broadcasters, with the sixth game up for annual bidding. Last year, NBC streamed a playoff game on Peacock for $110 million, capturing a viewership of 23 million. Comparatively, Netflix holds the record with an impressive 24.3 million streaming audience for its NFL content.
Amazon's Reach and Local Accessibility
The Baltimore and Pittsburgh faithful can breathe easy, as local broadcasts will allow fans to catch the action even if they're not Amazon Prime subscribers. For everyone else, the game remains within reach with an Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscription. For newcomers curious about sampling Prime Video’s offerings, Amazon extends a 30-day free trial, making it even easier to catch this pivotal playoff clash.
The digital age continues to reshape how fans experience sports, and Amazon’s latest move is a testament to the evolution underway in sports broadcasting. As these giants vie for market dominance, viewers stand to gain an ever-widening array of options to take in their favorite games.