NFL Sunday Ticket Rights Could Be Acquired By Google
The popular NFL Sunday Ticket platform currently managed by DirectTV could soon fall under the ownership of Google, Inc. According to AllThingsD the search giant and NFL are in “low level” talks regarding a possible rights acquisition.
Google has been attempting to supplement its online advertising dollars with original programming that earns subscription revenue.
NFL Sunday Ticket is popular among NFL fans wishing to watch their favorite teams outside of their local markets.
According to AllThingsD, Google CEO Larry Page and YouTube content chief Robert Kyncl specifically discussed acquiring the rights to the popular Sunday Ticket package with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his delegation.
The move is part of YouTube’s attempts to expand into original content programming by way of dedicated channels. YouTube wishes to expand from shaky and sometimes hard to watch home videos, into a global powerhouse of multimedia offerings.
Google’s biggest push is to increase the speed of broadband networks and the number of users with high-speed internet access. Acquiring NFL Sunday Ticket could be a great way to push its users towards broadband connectivity.
Google partnering with the NFL could also help bolster demand for services that are typically reserved for traditional cable.
DirectTV has publicly said it feels confident about renewing its $1 billion-a-year “Sunday Ticket” contract with the league. DirecTV’s contract expires after the 2014 season. The company likely will not go down without a fight as NFL Sunday Ticket is considered an important tool in attracting traditional cable TV subscribers and users of other satellite services.
The Google deal could be muddled by traditional TV networks who place pressure on the NFL to protect their TV licenses by denying Google’s attempt to turn NFL Sunday Ticket into an internet based channel.
Throw in Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, alongside NFL Sunday Ticket and all of a sudden it seems more viable then ever to ditch traditional TV in favor of an online option.
