The ESPN is receiving the NFL Network and other National Football League media assets, including the league’s popular Redzone channel’s linear rights, in a deal, which will see NFL to see NFL 10% equity share in the all-Sports Network, it was announced on Tuesday night.
ESPN will also achieve fantasy product of NFL and merge it into its current platform, making ESPN fantasy football an official game of NFL. In a separate deal, NFL also agreed to license other NFL content and intellectual property ESPN that would appear on NFL networks and other assets.
The NFL network will be owned and operated by ESPN, which will control the network’s linear and digital rights. The NFL network will be integrated into ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-conjumer streaming product, and it will be available on traditional pay TV providers.
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement, “We are creating a major destination for football fans, combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation.” “Together, ESPN and NFLs are redefined again how fans join the game-anywhere, anywhere, anywhere. The deal helps to fuel the digital future of ESPN, the foundation for even more strong offers laying the foundation for we are ready to start our new direct-to-consequences service.”
The ESPN platform will also give three additional NFL games per season, giving it a total of 28. The NFL network will continue to show seven games per season, with some games being shifted to the NFL network from the original schedule of ESPN. Date and sports were not announced. All owners of ESPN will air linear and ESPN’s Direct-to-Consumer platforms.
According to a joint statement, the ESPN will own the comprehensive rights of Redzone, including the trademark, and will continue to distribute the channel to pay the TV operators. NFL will continue to operate and produce the owner, operating and production of the Redzone channel and maintain the rights to distribute it digitally.
League will continue to adopt and operate some of its media businesses including NFL films and NFL.com.
Walt Disney Company CEO Robert A. “Today’s announcement is to provide even more compelling experiences for NFL fans for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport,” IG can do ESPN and Disney in a way, “Igar said in a statement. “Commissioner Goodale and NFL have created outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add consumer’s choice, provide the audience even more convenience and quality, and extend the width and value of Disney’s streaming ecosystem of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodll said in a statement, “Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided unprecedented access to millions of fans for the game he likes.” “Whether he is starting football on Thursday night, was television to Kambine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network distributed. ESPN will construct network sales on this remarkable heritage, provide more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative methods.
In May, ESPN announced its streaming service Will launch in initial decline $ 29.99 per month with a price point and the linear network will be named – ESPN.
Direct-to-conjumer service will allow users to obtain all seven domestic linear networks of ESPN in addition to ESPN on ABC and many other streaming options.
ESPN ABC, Inc. The ownership of is 80%, which is an indirect subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, and 20% by Hresht.
Agreements between ESPN and NFL are subject to approval from NFL owners and government regulators.
