NFL Sunday Ticket reportedly becoming 'streaming product' — and Apple could win

NFL Sun Ticket reportedly becoming 'streaming product' — and Apple tree could win

(Image credit: AT&T)

The NFL's Sun Ticket packet is likely to become an all-digital suggestion when the current contract with DirecTV ends in 2023, according to NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell. And it appears that the NFL favors Apple over other candidates.

CNBC reports Goodell equally describing Sunday Ticket as a "streaming product" going forward, giving the biggest hint yet that it'll be all digital once it leaves AT&T's DirecTV — its dwelling house for 27 years. "I call up that is best for our fans to make it accessible on a digital platform," he explained.

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As reported previously, Sun Ticket — a subscription service that allows live coverage of every NFL game non bagged by local affiliates — isn't likely to exist renewed past DirecTV every bit it's something that has really lost the service money of late. It currently costs $1 billion a year, so it'south not exactly the kind of thing to be gambled on — and CNBC previously claimed that the price could ascension to $2.5 billion per year this fourth dimension around.

That kind of price limits the number of companies that could realistically launch a bid, simply the latest report highlights a "person familiar with the NFL'south thinking," who claims that "several" tech companies have shown an interest.

Three destinations are usually cited, each with the kind of funds to make such a motion possible: Amazon, Apple and Disney'south ESPN. Amazon was one time a "likely front runner", according to CNBC, but this most recent report notes that "in league circles, the rumblings advise the NFL eventually wants to lure Apple to take information technology over."

That may seem counterintuitive, given Apple currently doesn't currently offer alive sports of whatever kind, while Amazon does. Merely the visitor may consider it a new way to draw in millions of iPhone and iPad shoppers each year.

And while NFL rights may seem like an expensive gamble, it notwithstanding could ultimately be cheaper than commissioning and filming original content that may or may not flop: for every Ted Lasso, there's a Friends from College, later all. NFL viewing figures are more of a known quantity, and potentially a safer bet.

Wherever the destination is, the NFL is reportedly besides considering other big changes to make Sun Ticket more highly-seasoned to consumers. It could requite customers the option to purchase individual squad games, for example, or allow streaming services to comport a specific conference.

We should have a improve idea of what 2023'southward Sunday Ticket will look like soon. The league apparently wants the new agreement in place before the 2022 season starts.

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Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine as well. When non weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.