By Ryan Bologna
We all know streaming services have changed the way we view sports. That trend is continuing with NFL+, the league’s streaming service. NFL+ is a consolidation and rebranding of known services like NFL Game Pass and more. We looked into all of the details of the streaming service to help fans determine whether they should consider purchasing it and what it means for fans.
Yesterday, the NFL has officially launched NFL+ – the league's own streaming service. 📲
For a monthly price, NFL+ will provide mobile access to local and primetime games
.#nfl #nflplus pic.twitter.com/pizF1N1To7— Front Row (@FR_FrontRow) July 26, 2022
What does it cost?
There are two subscription tiers. The first tier is $4.99 a month. This lets you stream live local and prime-time regular season and playoff games from a phone or tablet. It also gives ad-free access to content from NFL Network and NFL Films.
The second tier costs $9.99 per month. It provides everything that is included in the cheaper tier, and everything from what was previously known as NFL Game Pass as well as ad-free full and condensed game replays that go back to the 2009 season, and all-22 film.
What And Where Can You Watch?
You might have noticed that you can only watch live games from a phone or tablet. The service blocks casting to a smart TV or laptop so fans will still need cable to watch games on TV. Why is that the case? Because according to the NFL’s media rights deals that kick in this season, live TV streaming rights are held by the league’s broadcasting partners. However, Verizon customers who watched local games through Yahoo Sports in the past might find use in NFL+, as Verizon didn’t renew the mobile streaming rights deal it had with the league.
Will There Be Blackouts?
Luckily, NFL+ will not be impacted by blackouts. Only preseason games in your local market will not be available on the service.
Is NFL Season Ticket Included?
No. NFL+ is geared more towards fans who are on the go and need to watch from their mobile devices. Fans who have subscribed to NFL Season Ticket in the past will likely not get what they want from NFL+.
How could it change in the future?
TV streaming rights are with broadcasting partners for the next 11 years, so that is not likely to change any time soon. But commissioner Roger Goodell said the service will expand and include more content in the future. So the first year of NFL+ is likely not going to be the final product. It was the same case for ESPN+. There is so much more content available on that service than there was when it first came out. It will be interesting to see what the NFL has up its sleeve.
Photo Credit: Lisa Schulz
