• Loading stock data...
Friday, February 27, 2026

Amazon, NFL Want to Own ‘Black Friday’ Too

  • Tech giant to offer free access to league’s first ‘Black Friday’ game.
  • Amazon normally charges for Prime membership.
Thursday Night Football will add Black Friday game.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Amazon Prime Video and the NFL are taking the next steps to try to own the “Black Friday” holiday.

Amazon announced Tuesday it would offer free access to all viewers for its exclusive stream of the league’s first-ever “Black Friday” game on Nov. 24, 2023 (3 p.m. ET).

Typically, customers have to pay for Amazon Prime Video to stream “Thursday Night Football.” The service costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year.

But Amazon decided it was worth the loss in potential sign-up revenue to try to establish its new “Black Friday” game as an ongoing NFL tradition.

“We’re excited to expand our relationship with the NFL and build a new holiday tradition for our customers with the first Black Friday NFL game,” said Jay Marine, vice president of Prime Video and global head of Sports, in a statement. “We’re so very proud of our Thursday Night Football production and all the teams in front of and behind the camera. As families look to spend time together over the holiday weekend, we are excited to provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy this new day of NFL action.”

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform at half-time of NFL game

The NFL and Amazon’s Black Friday Experiment

How the league and an ecommerce giant can control the day after…
November 26, 2022

Amazon’s pregame show will be live and on-site at the stadium as part of its coverage.

Charissa Thompson will host, along with analysts Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman, Andrew Whitworth, Taylor Rooks, and Michael Smith. 

The TNF crew of Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, and Kaylee Hartung will call the game. The NFL will pick the two competing teams at a later date.

It looks like a smart business play by Jeff Bezos’ Amazon. 

Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year. But Amazon’s message to holiday shoppers will be: Why get trampled by hordes at brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart when you can shop online with us – while watching a free NFL game to boot? 

And, of course, it’s a loss-leader maneuver to get fans to sample Prime – and possibly sign up later.

Last year, Amazon became the NFL’s first all-digital partner via an $11 billion 11-year deal to stream TNF through 2033 exclusively.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The NFLPA logo at press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFLPA Report Cards Leak Despite Ban on Public Release

ESPN first reported the results on Thursday.
Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball defended by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Garret Wallow (49) and defensive end Keion White (56) during the third quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field.

​​FanDuel Parent Pins Betting Slowdown on Lackluster NFL Season

Flutter Entertainment eyes World Cup as key growth driver.

Indiana Approves Bears Stadium Plan, Turns Up Heat on Illinois

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signs a stadium development framework.

​​Cincinnati-Sorsby Lawsuit Marks Latest NIL Court Fight in CFB

Cincinnati sued former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who transferred.

Featured Today

[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park
February 13, 2026

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
The broadcast studio and pundits on the Paramount+ series, 'Inside The NFL'.

Paramount Wins Battle For WBD As Netflix Drops Out

The streaming giant bows out of the high-stakes race.
May 19, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a TNT court broadcast camera before game seven between the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
February 26, 2026

Loss of NBA Felt in WBD’s Latest Earnings

The loss of live rights created near-term headwinds in advertising revenue.
February 26, 2026

Apple’s Big Bet on F1 Is About More Than Streaming

The technology giant also strikes a unique content collaboration with Netflix.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
February 25, 2026

Paramount Says WBD Deal Would Help CBS Turnaround

The CBS Sports parent company lauds its NFL and UFC programming.
Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
February 25, 2026

F1 CEO Defends Apple Leap: ‘Bigger’ Reach With ‘Other People’

F1 believes it’s making up for what it’s losing in reach elsewhere.
February 24, 2026

U.S. Gold-Medal Game Draws 20.7M Viewers for NBC, a Morning Record

The gold-medal hockey game draws an NFL-like audience.
Jan 4, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; TNT sportscaster Marv Albert looks on before a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
February 24, 2026

Family Business: Marv Albert Marvels at Son Kenny’s Gold Medal TV Performance

“He was tremendous,” Marv Albert says of his son’s career-defining performance.