The National Football League has announced changes to its NFL+ streaming service, most notably the addition of NFL Network and NFL RedZone with subscriptions. It marks the league launching its own direct-to-consumer product as the media landscape continues to lean towards digital consumption. Additionally, monthly pricing for NFL+ have increased to $6.99 for the standard package and $14.99 for the premium package.
NFL Network is included in the standard bundle, which also includes live game audio, ad-free NFL Films and on-demand content and live out-of-market preseason games. The linear channel reportedly has 51.1 million total subscribers, down by 20 million over the last 10 years as the rate of cord cutting continues to accelerate. The premium package provides fans with everything in NFL+, including NFL Network, along with NFL RedZone and various condensed ad-free film replays.
The league launched NFL+ last season and gave fans the ability to watch or listen to local game broadcasts on various platforms. This over-the-top platform (OTT) becomes one of the first to offer a league-owned broadcast network direct-to-consumer. It aligns with the path regional and national sports networks are taking to better meet their audience as the media landscape continues to change.
“We launched NFL+ last season to further grow our direct relationship with millions of fans,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “The response was excellent. And as we embark on the second season of NFL+, we are excited to add NFL Network and NFL RedZone and provide greater access to football content for NFL fans everywhere.”
Scott Hanson, the host of NFL RedZone from NFL Network, teased the NFL+ announcement yesterday on X, formerly known as Twitter. He will now be the sole host of RedZone after DIRECTV lost NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube. The former host of that version of the program, Andrew Siciliano, will retain his role with NFL Network and also call select college football games on NBC as part of its new Big Ten Conference package.
“I know you’re not used to seeing me before Week 1 but I had to just grab the camera here real quick and let you know, there’s a big announcement coming,” Hanson said. “And I’m talking a big announcement. I’m talking like Justin Jefferson one-handed catch on fourth down big. I’m talking like Patrick Mahomes game-winning drive in the Super Bowl-type big, and it’s going to make a lot of you very, very happy.”
The NFL is currently in the first year of its media rights agreement that totals over $12 billion per season with entities such as Paramount Global, Comcast, FOX Corporation and The Walt Disney Company among others. Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football and will stream the league’s first Black Friday game this year when the New York Jets host the Miami Dolphins. The property also received flex scheduling ability between weeks 13 and 17, along with Monday Night Football on ESPN. NBC’s Sunday Night Football, the most-watched program in prime time for 12 consecutive years, retains its ability to use flex scheduling throughout the year.
