NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock, will host the first-ever exclusively live-streamed NFL playoff game during the upcoming 2023-2024 season on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
The NFL and NBCUniversal jointly announced the deal, which reportedly is estimated to be worth around $110 million. Fans will have to subscribe to Peacock to watch the game that starts at 8.15 or 8.30 p.m. ET.
“As Peacock continues to grow, nothing says ‘must-have’ programming more than live NFL games,” said NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua last week.
Bevacqua also said that the deal will be “a great combination of using NBC’s power with the late-afternoon game” as well as “driving the audience to Peacock for the regular-season exclusive game.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the NFL on this industry milestone, bringing to Peacock the first ever exclusively live streamed NFL Playoff game,”
Pete Bevacqua, Chairman of NBC Sports
Peacock will air its first-ever exclusive stream of a regular-season game on December 23 when the Los Angeles Chargers face the Buffalo Bills in primetime, a few weeks before the exclusive NFL playoff game on January 13.
Apart from the exclusive playoff game, Peacock will continue streaming all NBC Sunday Night Football games, including the playoffs. It has secured the rights to eight exclusive Big Ten football games.
The streaming platform also offers fans other sports broadcasts, such as WWE’s premium live events, a weekly MLB game, English Premier League games, as well as up to 47 men’s and 30 women’s basketball games for the upcoming season.
NFL streaming and broadcast content
This deal is the NFL’s latest foray into streaming platforms. Last season, Amazon Prime Video became the exclusive home of “Thursday Night Football,” garnering 150 million subscribers in the U.S. alone. Meanwhile, ESPN+ has streamed one international game per season since 2021.
The NFL also recently made a deal with YouTube to move its premium NFL Sunday Ticket package, which offers viewers access to games not available on their local affiliate stations, to the streaming platform.
“Expanding the digital distribution of NFL content while maintaining wide reach for our games continues to be a key priority for the league,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media.
“Bringing the excitement of an NFL playoff game exclusively to Peacock’s streaming platform is the next step in that strategy.”
Currently, most NFL content is accessible on broadcast television on major networks like Fox, CBS, NBC or ABC. ESPN, for example, broadcasts “Monday Night Football,” which reaches approximately 75 million households.
Even the least-viewed wild-card game, the Chargers-Jaguars, garnered over 20 million viewers.
Fans outrage
Upon hearing the deal announcement, some fans are displeased for having to pay more money to watch the game. Some joked about pirating the livestream, while some voiced out their annoyance.
A Twitter user named Jeremy Horton wrote that they have to pay $400 for Sunday tickets and several streaming services to watch NFL games. “Should try to make the games more accessible, not less!” the tweet read.
Another user called Sarah B also complained about the new deal. “Amazon, YouTube and now Peacock. The NFL is trying hard to lose viewership numbers,” said the tweet.
Like other streaming services, Peacock requires a subscription before accessing the content, including the Super Wild Weekend exclusive.
Luckily, Peacock is considered one of the more affordable streaming services available, with a monthly subscription fee of $4.99 for the “Premium” package or $9.99 for the ad-free “Plus” package.
Fans can also choose a yearly subscription for $49.99 or $99.99. Both packages offer the same selection of shows and sports.
