As more and more people are looking to digital options for their entertainment, the NFL has done its level best to keep pace. In August, the league extended its partnership with Amazon to deliver a live digital stream of “Thursday Night Football.” Part of that extended agreement also places one regular season game globally on Prime Video and Twitch, which will be played on a Saturday in the second half of the 2020 NFL regular season.
On Thursday, the NFL announced a new digital content deal with YouTube to bring NFL Network and NFL RedZone to YouTube TV subscribers for the 2020 season.
Per the NFL’s press release, NFL Network will be available starting today on YouTube TV as part of the base membership. NFL RedZone will be available as part of YouTube TV’s new add-on package, called Sports Plus, also launching today, with host Scott Hanson delivering every touchdown from every game to fans on Sunday afternoons during the NFL regular season starting September 13.
“We are excited to bring NFL Network and NFL RedZone to YouTube TV subscribers, just in time for Kickoff of the NFL’s 2020 season,” said Hans Schroeder, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media. “The opportunity to give NFL Network and NFL RedZone the broadest distribution as possible to our fans remains a top priority for us, so we’re pleased to bring our lineup of exclusive live games, informative shows and award-winning content to the YouTube TV channel lineup.”
In 2019, “Thursday Night Football Presented by Bud Light Platinum” delivered an average audience of 15.4 million viewers, including FOX, NFL Network, FOX Deportes, NFL digital, FOX Sports digital, Prime Video, Twitch, and Verizon Media mobile properties. This was an increase of 4% versus the 2018 “Thursday Night Football” season average (14.9 million). Digital streaming across Prime Video, Twitch, NFL digital, FOX Sports digital and Verizon Media mobile properties in 2019 surpassed an average minute audience of over 1.0 million — an increase of 43% over the previous year.
