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Amazon becomes exclusive 'Thursday Night Football' provider as part of NFL's new $100B TV deal
UPI ^ | MARCH 19, 2021 / 7:28 AM | By Alex Butler

Posted on 03/19/2021 5:34:28 AM PDT by Red Badger

March 19 (UPI) -- Amazon Prime Video became the exclusive provider of Thursday Night Football in one of several new broadcast deals announced by the NFL.

Sources told CNBC, the New York Times and the New York Post that the 11-year media rights agreement -- announced Thursday -- is worth more than $100 billion. The contract starts in 2023 and runs through 2033.

The NFL also signed deals with CBS, ESPN/ABC and Fox. CBS, Fox and NBC each will televise three upcoming Super Bowls as part of the agreement. ESPN/ABC will televise the Super Bowl in 2026 and 2030.

"These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love. We're proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a news release.

"Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the League and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game."

The NFL first partnered with Amazon for Thursday Night Football in 2017. CBS is the league's longest-running media partner and has worked with the NFL since 1956.

"NFL games are the most watched live programming in the United States, and this unprecedented Thursday Night Football package gives tens of millions of new and existing Prime members exclusive access to must-watch live football on Prime Video," said Mike Hopkins, the senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios.

"NFL fans from across the country will enjoy a premium viewing experience with Thursday Night Football, as well as access to a broad selection of content including award-winning Amazon Originals available on Prime Video."

CBS maintained its right to broadcast AFC games on Sundays, while Fox maintained its NFC package on Sundays as part of the new pact. ESPN also will continue to host Monday Night Football. ESPN+ subscribers will be able to stream one international series game each season.

NBC also kept its rights to air Sunday Night Football. The league said it also plans to continue with broadcasts of a "select schedule" of games on NFL Network.

RELATED Buffalo Bills sign ex-Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky "The NFL has been a cornerstone of CBS Sports programming for more than 60 years," CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said. "We are extremely pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with the NFL for the next decade.

"The NFL is the most valuable content in all of media, and we are excited that the deal allows for more Sunday afternoon games than ever before and we retain the NFL's most-watched time slot. This wide-ranging deal includes significantly expanded rights, and we look forward to continued growth and to maximizing the enormous value of the NFL across all of our CBS Sports platforms."


TOPICS: History; Music/Entertainment; Sports; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: amazon; breadandcircuses; nfl
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To: mewzilla

“God help the NFL if any of the bailout money is coming from taxpayers.”

Amazon pays few taxes.

Amazon Cloud Services provides IT services to many federal agencies, contracts generating billions of dollars of revenue.

The Washington Post, one of the most influential media organizations in the nation, and one of two newspapers driving the media spin, is owned by Jeff Bezos Amazon’s CEO. The media narrative ultimately drives many federal government spending priorities.

The Amazon business model does depend heavily on money from taxpayers and gaming the tax system to pay low taxes. Indirectly, the NFL bailout is funded by taxpayers.

Not to mention the local and state government (i.e. taxpayer) NFL subsidized stadiums and practice facilities across the nation.


21 posted on 03/19/2021 6:08:21 AM PDT by Soul of the South (The past is gone and cannot be changed. Tomorrow can be a better day if we work on it.)
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To: Red Badger

Bezos is a sucker.


22 posted on 03/19/2021 6:09:39 AM PDT by tennmountainman ( Liberals Are Baby Killers.)
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To: Soul of the South

Indirectly, definitely.

But I’m wondering if Amazon and/or the NFK got anything from or via that last relief bill.

Inquiring minds want to know.


23 posted on 03/19/2021 6:09:47 AM PDT by mewzilla (Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
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To: tennmountainman

Sucker he ma be, but he’s a sucker with a $200+ Billions......................


24 posted on 03/19/2021 6:11:00 AM PDT by Red Badger ("We've always been at war with Climate Change, Winston."..............................)
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To: Kevmo

There is, the SEC in December 2020 finalized their new TV deal with ESPN/ABC/Disney for 10 years at 3 billion or 300 million per year.....the prior deal was with CBS for 55 million per year or a near 6 times increase in TV revenue...

There is huge money in TV broadcast rights, even though the ratings for sports in general are down, football specifically the NFL and SEC still command huge money because they create the biggest audiences....


25 posted on 03/19/2021 6:19:18 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: Red Badger

I was referring to the NFL contract.
100 Billion for 10 Years?
NFL are losing viewers and fans, not getting viewers.
Many former NFL fans are over the NFL wokeness.


26 posted on 03/19/2021 6:25:29 AM PDT by tennmountainman ( Liberals Are Baby Killers.)
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To: tennmountainman
They will be selling stuff to Prime Viewers all thru the games. Just like Idiocracy, the TV screen will be surrounded by ads and the game will be about 25% of the screen.
27 posted on 03/19/2021 6:29:22 AM PDT by Red Badger ("We've always been at war with Climate Change, Winston."..............................)
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To: Red Badger

Lifelong fan , 50 years, didn’t watch a game this year.

Third generation vet who knows what freedom costs and the disrespect for those who gave their lives so a group of predominantly 20 year olds can express their disgust while enjoying a life a very small % ever experience


28 posted on 03/19/2021 6:31:55 AM PDT by patriotspride (Third generation Vet. Never forget the true cost of freedom)
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To: Red Badger

I see what what you r saying. And u probably are right.
Amazon will use the NFL to sell their Amazon products.


29 posted on 03/19/2021 6:40:06 AM PDT by tennmountainman ( Liberals Are Baby Killers.)
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To: tennmountainman

That’s all the contracts. They might be losing numbers, but they’ve still got the biggest live numbers out there.


30 posted on 03/19/2021 6:40:19 AM PDT by discostu (Like a dog being shown a card trick )
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To: tennmountainman

A captive audience....................


31 posted on 03/19/2021 6:40:51 AM PDT by Red Badger ("We've always been at war with Climate Change, Winston."..............................)
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To: tennmountainman

They call that the enhanced viewing experience. Watching on your computer the commercials come with links to buy it in Amazon.


32 posted on 03/19/2021 6:45:51 AM PDT by discostu (Like a dog being shown a card trick )
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To: patriotspride

“Third generation vet who knows what freedom costs and the disrespect for those who gave their lives so a group of predominantly 20 year olds can express their disgust while enjoying a life a very small % ever experience”

Wish there were more like you.


33 posted on 03/19/2021 6:53:41 AM PDT by utax
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To: Red Badger
as if I needed another reason to not watch BLM-FL...
34 posted on 03/19/2021 6:54:55 AM PDT by major_gaff (University of Parris Island, Class of '84)
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To: Red Badger

Nobody cares. Nobody’s gonna watch.


35 posted on 03/19/2021 6:55:05 AM PDT by petitfour (APPEAL TO HEAVEN)
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To: Kevmo

Money For Nothing


36 posted on 03/19/2021 7:18:16 AM PDT by butlerweave
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Networks still pay for the rights to broadcast that tripe???...smh


37 posted on 03/19/2021 8:15:23 AM PDT by TnTnTn
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To: Red Badger

Note also that DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket goes away.


38 posted on 03/19/2021 9:38:07 AM PDT by big'ol_freeper (If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him. ~ Sun Tzu )
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To: Red Badger

The NF Who??

Rich owners , dumb advertisers, stoned&drunk locked-down audiences..

Que the music.. one more serenade for old times.

Teams have to cut their top players to pay even more for mediocre social media sweethearts,, it used to be about the game, now it’s all hype. Good riddance!

When do they play a game in Tehran or Pyongyang?


39 posted on 03/19/2021 10:17:02 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi - Monthly Donors Rock!!! In CONgre$$ WE're Disgusted!! NMP!)
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To: Red Badger

The NF Who??

Rich owners , dumb advertisers, stoned&drunk locked-down audiences..

Que the music.. one more serenade for old times.

Teams have to cut their top players to pay even more for mediocre social media sweethearts,, it used to be about the game, now it’s all hype. Good riddance!

When do they play a game in Tehran or Pyongyang?


40 posted on 03/19/2021 10:17:02 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi - Monthly Donors Rock!!! In CONgre$$ WE're Disgusted!! NMP!)
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