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.
New NFL Plus streaming service could go to Apple TV+ along with NFL Sunday Ticket
A new report from Sports Business Journal said that the new NFL Plus streaming service could end up bundled with the Sunday Ticket package if sold to Apple TV+ or another bidder.
NFL Sunday Ticket is an out-of-market sports package. It broadcasts the full slate of regular season NFL games every week. DirecTV now holds the rights to it.
By contrast, the new NFL Plus streaming service is reportedly limited to “what fans could otherwise see in their local TV markets.” It could launch as soon as July.
NFL Plus is for live games on mobile devices
The Journal said NFL Plus’ main feature will be “live games on mobile phones and tablets,” offered at a cost of $5 per month. The service will replace existing offerings with live streaming for local games — e.g., from Yahoo or via deals with mobile phone carriers.
The report added NFL Plus could roll into a deal if Apple TV+ acquires the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket.
“NFL Plus comes to the front as talks continue over possibly selling an equity stake in NFL Media properties, with Apple and Amazon the front runners. If one of those deals comes to fruition, NFL Plus could be folded into that package,” the report said.
Such a bundled deal would let Apple TV+ subscribers sign up for Sunday Ticket and NFL Plus and access both out-of-market games and local market games on a single platform.
Rumors say Apple TV+ leads to race to win NFL Sunday Ticket, if it hasn’t already done so. What remains to be seen is how much Apple TV+ will charge for NFL access.
