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The NFL Puts Online Viewers in Control

August 01, 2008

Posted by: Peter Infante in Online

The National Football League recently announced an agreement with NBC to stream 17 regular-season games live on the internet.  Since the NFL hasn’t previously included online rights in its deals with the broadcast networks, the move is seen as an attempt to justify the value of those rights for future negotiations

We feel the bigger story is the increased control the online version will give football fans.  They’ll be able to choose from 4 different live camera angles and review stats that will update throughout the game.  Consumer control over content has greatly affected the media world in recent years, and it is the key element that will help make the NFL’s new offering a success.

However, it’s no secret that that football fans and large screen TVs are inseparable.  We suspect the online offering will typically be used by TV viewers as an enhancement, rather than a replacement.  Either way, it will result in increased viewer engagement with the game – and hopefully the advertisers.