NFL

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on NFL:

YouTube scores NFL Sunday Ticket rights after Apple punts

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NFL could pass Sunday football games to Apple TV+
Nope, not gonna happen.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s year-long effort to broadcast pro football games on Sunday nights has come to an end. The Mac-maker was reportedly in negotiations for the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, but was outbid by Google’s YouTube TV instead.

Apple TV+ will continue to boast high-profile sports, but its roster won’t include NFL games.

Apple may have dropped out of fight for NFL Sunday Ticket

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It seems the new NFL Plus streaming service could go to the bidder who wins NFL Sunday Ticket.
No NFL games for you, Apple TV+.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s efforts to broadcast pro football games on Sunday nights reportedly have come to an end. The Mac-maker has pulled out of negotiations with the NFL.

Apple TV+ will continue to boast high-profile sports. But apparently its roster won’t include the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Apple Music to sponsor new NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show

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2022's Super Bowl LVI halftime show featured Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem (not pictured).
2022's Super Bowl LVI halftime show featured Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem (not pictured).
Photo: NFL

The National Football League brokered a multiyear deal with Apple to bring the Apple Music ​Super Bowl Halftime Show to one of the world’s biggest stages, the league said Friday.

The new halftime show debuts at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, February 12, 2023. But most details about it have yet to take the field.

Apple TV+ could get new NFL Plus streaming alongside Sunday Ticket

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It seems the new NFL Plus streaming service could go to the bidder who wins NFL Sunday Ticket.
It seems the new NFL Plus streaming service could go to the bidder who wins NFL Sunday Ticket.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Some sources suggest Apple TV+ has already signed a deal for the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket. Now a new report say the football league’s planned NFL Plus streaming service could sweeten the deal for Apple — or another winning bidder, as the case may turn out to be.

The two services together on Apple TV+ could offer fans a great selection of viewing options.

NFL ‘considers’ its own streaming service for mobile devices

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NFL plans its own streaming service
It could cost just $5 a month.
Photo: Adrian Curiel/Unsplash

There may soon be yet another streaming service to add to your roster. The National Football League is said to be considering a platform of its own, dubbed NFL+, that will stream live games to smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

NFL+ could also provide access to radio, podcasts and team content, according to a new report, which claims teams were briefed on the plans at the annual NFL owners’ meeting that recently took place in Palm Beach, Florida.

Apple helps former NFL linebacker DeMarcus Ware build his new fitness app

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D2W app
DeMarcus Ware's new fitness app Driven to Win launches today.
Photo: D2W

Former NFL linebacker DeMarcus Ware is launching an iOS fitness app called Driven to Win (D2W) — and Apple helped him build it.

The former Dallas Cowboys star said was invited to Cupertino to meet with Apple engineers who helped him develop the app. Starting in 2019, he made a total of nine trips to Apple’s offices to meet with the company’s developers.

Your definitive Apple TV guide to watching Super Bowl LIV

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NFL Super Bowl 52 logo
Super Bowl 54 is on multiple platforms through streaming Apple TV devices, even in 4K.
Logo: NFL

Super Bowl LIV (or 54, if you don’t prefer Roman numerals) will take place Sunday in a matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

For Apple TV users, there are lots of ways to watch, for free and not so free. Here’s your complete guide.

The Patriots are the Apple of football [Opinion]

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The Patriots aren't doomed, and neither is Apple.
The Patriots aren't doomed, and neither is Apple.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Imagine an organization that’s loved by its devoted, cultlike followers, but despised by haters. The close working relationship between its mercurial leader and one of the greatest talents in the field led to an unprecedented run of success. Even the occasional “-gate” style controversy failed to dent its success. But despite all this, analysts still question its long-term viability.

I’m referring, of course, to the New England Patriots. They may not be in the NFL playoffs this year, but people just can’t stop talking about the Pats. Kinda like the way everyone talked about Apple at CES last week, even though it barely attended.

Love them or hate them, the Patriots are the Apple of football.

Steelers’ QB faces fat fine for wearing Apple Watch during game

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Apple Watch ActionSleeve
Some athletes are encouraged to wear an Apple Watch. Football players are not.
Photo: ActionSleeve

Ben Roethlisberger was hit with a fine for wearing an Apple Watch on the sidelines of the Steelers’ game last week. It’s against NFL rules for players or coaches to use devices that can transmit electronic messages unless they have been pre-approved.

Fortnite is getting real NFL jerseys and new emotes

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Fortnite-NFL
Represent your favorite team on the battlefield.
Photo: Epic Games

Football fans will soon be able to fight for victory wearing their favorite NFL jersey in Fortnite Battle Royale. Starting Friday, November 9, you’ll be able to purchase team outfits from the in-game item shop and add your own squad number.

Epic Games is also adding new gliders, emotes, and pickaxes with an NFL theme. Take a sneak peek at what’s coming in the teaser trailer below.

How to stream NFL games on Apple devices in 2018

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How to watch NFL draft 2017
It's never been easier to stream NFL games.
Photo: Skitterphoto/Pexels CC

By Chris Brantner

With the football season heating up, it’s time to make sure you have a way to catch all the biggest matchups. Luckily, watching NFL games no longer requires you to pay for an overpriced cable subscription. And Apple users have a plethora of options to stream pro football without cable this season.

No matter which Apple device you use, you’ll find a wide range of apps to let you watch NFL football. Here’s a rundown of some of the best options for streaming NFL games this season.

Get ready for NFL football on iPhone

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Wilson connected football
CBS and the NFL ironed out their differences, allowing your iPhone to stream football games for the first time.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

CBS has been struggling to find stand-out content for its All Access streaming service beside Star Trek: Discovery. That problem has been solved. 

The entire 2018 NFL ON CBS schedule, including Super Bowl LIII, will be streamed live on All Access. That includes smartphones and tablets, a significant development.

Best apps for streaming NFL on Apple devices

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Score these apps to stream NFL games, starting with preseason matchups this Thursday.
Score these apps to stream NFL games, starting with preseason matchups this Thursday.
Photo: Erik Drost/Flickr CC

By Chris Brantner

During the fall and winter, football fans across the United States devote entire Sundays to diligently following all the NFL action. But you don’t need to wait: The football action gets underway Thursday when the NFL preseason games begin.

If you’re one of the many people who love both football and Apple devices, you’re in luck. You can easily combine the two to stream NFL games during the entire season, whether you have cable or not. A bunch of different apps let you watch the NFL on Apple devices, so let’s take a look at some of the best ones out there.

TV shows are coming soon to Snapchat

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Snapchat is taking TV serious.
Snapchat is taking TV serious.
Photo: Snap

Snap Inc apparently wants in on the hottest new trend among tech companies: TV shows.

Following the lead of Amazon and Twitter, Snapchat reportedly plans to start showing vertical short films in its app. Only instead of doing all the work on its own, the company is inking deals with some of the biggest names in media.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is fed up with Microsoft Surface tablets

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Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick slams Microsoft tablet during game.
Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick slams Microsoft tablet during game.
Photo: NFL

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is giving up on the NFL’s experiment putting Surface tablets on the sidelines during football games.

The usually tight-lipped coach unleashed a five-minute rant against Microsoft’s bug-ridden tablets during a press conference today. Belichick said he just can’t deal with the Surface’s problems anymore, so he’s calling an audible and going back to good old paper and three-ring binders.

Twitter’s Apple TV app lets you watch NFL games for free

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Are you ready for some football on Twitter?
Are you ready for some football on Twitter?
Photo: Twitter

Watching the NFL’s Thursday Night Football games this season will no longer require a cable subscription, as long as you got Apple TV.

Twitter revealed that it’s taking a big dive into video content today with its new app for Apple TV that will offer free live streaming of tons of sports other than football.

Snapchat and NFL team up for first Discover sports channel

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snapchat
Are you ready for some football?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The NFL season is set to kick off in just over a month and Snapchat is ready to give users their weekly dose of pig skin action with the first ever Discover sport channel.

Snapchat’s partnership with the NFL comes a year after the two combined to create Live Stories surrounding NFL games. With the new Discover channel, football fans will be able to view headlines hot topics, and inside access videos for all 256 regular season games.

Apple passes on bid for NFL streaming rights

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Apple TV won't be streaming football this year.
Apple TV won't be streaming football this year.
Photo: NFL

As it turns out, Apple is not ready for some football.

The iPhone-maker was expected to be among a number of tech giants bidding for the streaming rights to 18 regular season football games this year, but it appears the company has decided to pass on the option to bid, figuring it wouldn’t be a big enough draw for the Apple TV platform. 

Apple, other tech firms look to get exclusive with NFL

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Apple's going head-to-head to secure streaming rights.
Apple's going head-to-head to secure streaming rights.
Photo: Nathan Shively / Unsplash

Thursday Night Football just got more competitive as Apple, Google, Amazon and Verizon are going head to head to take on the NFL’s highly lucrative sports franchise.

The U.S. football association announced that it was in “active discussions with prospective digital partners” for streaming rights to the same games, according to industry sources.

Microsoft Surface needs a timeout after another NFL letdown

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Screen Shot 2016-01-25 at 14.04.37
This was one time Apple's probably glad the Surface wasn't mistakenly called the iPad.
Photo: CBS

After making the mistake of repeatedly referring to the Microsoft Surface as an iPad, announcers finally got the right name for the NFL’s sponsor tablet… only for this to be the occasion on which the device stopped working on live TV.

The incident took place during Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, resulting in the kind of negative publicity Microsoft surely never dreamed its $400 million sponsorship would lead to.