Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Amazon Off To Slow Start As It Eyes More Live Sports

  • Amazon recorded its slowest period of year-over-year growth as it eyes more live sports.
  • The tech giant generated $116.4 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, a 7% increase year-over-year.
Amazon

Amazon recorded its slowest period of year-over-year growth in more than a decade in the company’s latest earnings report.

The tech giant, which is poised for growth as it continues to add live sports to its Prime Video service, generated $116.4 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, a 7% increase year-over-year, behind a net loss of $3.8 billion for the quarter. 

Shares of the Seattle-based company, however, were down nearly 10% in post-market trading. 

Amazon attributed the lukewarm results to supply chain shortages and inflationary pressures, but the company’s first quarter also included costly expansion projects and deals. 

  • It launched its Luna cloud gaming service, allowing U.S. customers to access more than 100 gaming titles on devices that include PCs and Fire TVs.
  • The company closed its acquisition of MGM for $8.5 billion, adding 4,000 film titles and 17,000 TV episodes to its portfolio.

Amazon also announced a media rights deal with Universal Tennis in Q1, which will also include an investment by the tech giant to implement inclusive and innovative changes for the sport. 

Live Sports 

Last year, Amazon Prime agreed to an 11-year deal with the NFL for exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football” for $1 billion per season. It also inked a deal to carry Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games for $1 billion. 

Earlier this week, it secured a rights agreement with mixed martial arts promoter One Championship.

As a result of the investments, Amazon announced a price increase for the service last quarter, from $119 per year to $139.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bezos’s Liverpool–Amazon Entanglement Is New for English Soccer

Bezos’s Prime Video has Tuesday night Champions League rights in the UK.
Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) shoots the ball Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the Siena Saints at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Duke–Michigan Amazon Showcase Canceled Over TV Rights Dispute

The Big Ten had disputed that the ACC possessed the game’s rights.

PGA Tour’s Biggest Events Deliver Ratings Gains Ahead of TV Talks

The $20 million events are a model for the new Championship Series.
Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against Denver Broncos linebacker Karene Reid (47) during the second quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High.

NFL Schedule Leans Further Into Holidays, Streaming Expansion

The upcoming slate features several notable changes from 2025.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/15/26 – NFL Kickoff Ratings Dip, Ballmer Accepts Punishment, Sweeney Ad Backlash

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

Stephen A. Smith: McAfee Has a ‘Different Set of Rules’ at ESPN

Smith signed a nine-figure contract with ESPN last year.
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Former Houston Texans JJ Watt speaks to the fans during his Ring Of Honor Ceremony at halftime during the game between the Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Opinion
September 14, 2026

J.J. Watt Wasn’t Better Than Tony Romo—but He Was Good Enough

Watt will remain with CBS’s top team for at least two more weeks.
Sep 11, 2026; Melbourne, AUS; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (5) makes a touchdown catch over Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) in the second half at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 14, 2026

Netflix’s Australia Game Ties YouTube’s NFL Numbers From Brazil

The subscription streaming service posted an increase in global viewership.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Aug 8, 2026; Canton, OH, USA; Chris Berman moderates the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
September 14, 2026

How ESPN Will Use Chris Berman in Its Super Bowl Coverage

Berman has covered 44 straight Super Bowls and watched all 60.
Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a committee event with the Artemis II crew members on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
September 12, 2026

ESPN Faces Criticism for Giving Ted Cruz ‘GameDay’ Air Time

No opponents of the Protect College Sports Act have been interviewed on “GameDay.”
September 12, 2026

Revamped McAfee Kicking Contest Pays First Winner $1.2M

The contest has entered its fourth season on College GameDay.
The Herd
Exclusive
September 12, 2026

Colin Cowherd Buys Stake in EPL’s Ipswich

Other Ipswich investors include Marques Colston and Ed Sheeran.