Twitter has agreed a huge deal to broadcast NFL’s Thursday Night Football for all its users to enjoy for FREE worldwide.
In what is set to start a groundbreaking new era for live sport, the world famous social media site managed to force off competition from the likes of Facebook, Amazon and Yahoo – for a rumoured fee of $10million.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/717334798709219330
This latest development follows the pair’s initial partnership, which began last year, that saw exclusive daily NFL video content exchange hands.
The new agreement will see Twitter’s 800million+ users be able to stream NFL’s Thursday Night Football on the platform.
Helping Twitter’s reported slowing growth, it’s likely to not only increase the number of active users, but new users as well.
Talking about the decision, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained: “Twitter is where live events unfold and is the right partner for the NFL as we take the latest step in serving fans around the world live NFL football”.
In addition to live streaming video of NFL action, the partnership includes in-game highlights coupled with pre-game Periscope broadcasts from players and teams.
https://twitter.com/pkafka/status/717342439778988032
However, it won’t affect current packages and subscriptions that customers currently hold with networks, as they will continue to run.
Such a deal is likely to spark mass debate as to how this will help forge streaming within not only the NFL, but sport in general.
Despite it being a small step, it could help to accelerate a highly sought-after form of sport viewing, increasing the dependability upon the internet.
With big money TV deals currently blighting sports such as football, could this pave the way for a new, more affordable user culture?
Could we possibly see Premier League football become free for online users at some point in the near future? Well, we can live in hope for now.