LIVE SPORTS
NFL:
The NFL is a powerhouse in American sports. It leads in TV ratings, attracts massive audiences, and dominates the sports conversation in the U.S. With its extensive media coverage and high-profile events like the Super Bowl, it’s no surprise it holds such a commanding position. The league’s focus on expanding internationally has been a key point in recent years. By holding games in places like London and now Brazil for the 2024 season, the NFL is tapping into new markets and growing their global fan base. This opens opportunities for increased revenue and partnerships. Historically, viewers could only watch the games on traditional linear outlets. Recently though, there has been an influx of streaming platforms looking to get a piece of the action, which makes it easier for NFL fans around the world to catch the action. During this year’s Upfront, several NFL streaming deals were announced, the most notable being newcomer Netflix, and Peacock’s exclusive international game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in Brazil. The 2024 season is set to kick off on Thursday night, September 5th.
ESPN+/ESPN will continue to host Monday Night Football.
Peacock has the exclusive game rights to the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, week 1. The streamer will also simulcast one Wild Card game and one divisional playoff game with NBC Sports.
Amazon Prime will host Thursday Night Football and one Wild Card playoff game, exclusively on Prime.
Telemundo Deportes will again provide exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the entire NBC Sunday Night Football package, including playoffs. Games will also be available on live streamvia the Telemundo Deportes app.
MLB:
The landscape for MLB’s media rights is indeed evolving rapidly, reflecting broader trends in sports broadcasting and the growing influence of streaming platforms. MLB has a current TV deal with ESPN, Fox, and TNT worth a combined $12 billion over seven years, ending in 2028. Fox’s exclusive rights to the World Series is a key highlight, maintaining a tradition of high-profile broadcast for baseball’s biggest stage. Apple TV has a $595 million deal, extending through 2029, which highlights Friday night games. Roku is the new player in town with a deal worth $10 million, showcasing the newly inaugurated Sunday Leadoff games. MLB is facing some tough decisions about the future of partnerships with regional sports networks (RSNs). RSNs are facing significant financial and operational challenges, impacting their ability to broadcast local games. This situation has prompted MLB to consider alternative approaches, such as individual club deals, and direct to consumer models. Time will tell how this impacts the future of MLB. How the league and teams navigate these challenges will determine their success in reaching and engaging fans in the future.
NHL:
The 2024-25 NHL season will mark the league’s 108th season overall and 107th season of play. This year, the Arizona Coyotes franchise has been dissolved, with its players and staff joining a new expansion team in Utah. The regular season kicks off on October 4, 2024, with the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils playing the first of two games in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series, expanding its international footprint.
The NHL’s TV deal, worth $4.4 billion over seven years, runs through the 2027-28 season, with ESPN/ESPN+ and TNT sharing the broadcasting rights. Each network will alternate airing the Stanley Cup Finals each year.
MLS (Soccer):
Soccer in the U.S. has the most intricate web of broadcasting deals due to its numerous domestic leagues and international tournaments. Fox and Telemundo hold the rights to the men’s and women’s World Cups through the 2026 men’s tournament, which will be hosted mainly in the U.S. Fox also has the European Championship rights until 2028, with Univision covering the Spanish-language broadcast for the same period. The Copa America currently airing on Fox Sports will be the last under their existing contract. CBS Sports has secured UEFA Champions League rights through 2030, while TNT Sports covers U.S. national team games (both men’s and women’s), including World Cup qualifiers, friendlies, and other tournaments without overlapping rights. In total, these broadcasting packages are valued at approximately $3 billion by the end of their contracts.
NCAA College Football:
College football in 2024 is set to be quite different. With a new 12-team playoff format and 15 teams switching conferences, there’s plenty of change on the horizon. The season kicks off on August 24th, and it’ll be fascinating to see how these shifts affect the games.
Venu:
As of the time of writing, the launch of Venu Sports will be delayed after a federal judge granted FuboTV’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the planned sports streaming venture.
Venu Sports is a direct-to-consumer joint venture, with major players Disney (ESPN), Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, set to launch Fall 2024. These media conglomerates will be joining forces to create a comprehensive sports streaming platform that could significantly impact the U.S. sports media landscape. The platform will offer 14 live channels between the three companies and provide extensive coverage of various sports. This includes everything from ESPN’s college and professional sports to FOX’s diverse lineup and Warner Bros. Discovery’s popular channels like TNT and TBS. ESPN+ will provide an extensive library of on-demand content and exclusive digital coverage. This could attract sports fans who are looking for both live events and a rich archive of sports programming. This approach aligns with the growing trend of consumers seeking more personalized and flexible viewing options, bypassing traditional cable and satellite TV,
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