Streaming is changing the game for live sports. From the NFL’s Christmas Day tripleheader to the NBA’s latest media moves, here’s how leagues are rethinking their strategies.
—Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel
|
|
|
|
One of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Only four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.
It wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.
Now, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.
Netflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.
“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.
“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”
For more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here.
|
|
|
At 81 years old, Bill Raftery is getting set to call his 10th Final Four on CBS and 30th overall across TV and radio. The college basketball lifer spoke with Front Office Sports about his future plans, the craziest moments he’s ever called, favorite haunts.
Front Office Sports: It seems like the chemistry with you, Ian Eagle, and Grant Hill has really picked up in your second season together. Do you think that things are starting to go more smoothly?
Bill Raftery: Well, I never thought it was any different, to be honest with you. Grant, I’ve worked with. With Jim [Nantz] obviously. And Ian, I’ve worked with for many, many years with the New Jersey Nets.
It’s all about teamwork. We all enjoy one another, like one another, sharing. Whether it’s being recognized by others, I’m not sure, but we always felt very good about it.
FOS: I’m not sure if any of my tweets have ever reached you, but I always love when I’m watching a game on CBS or Fox and you pop up. I still think you’re sharp as a tack, and it’s a joy to have you on any of these games. Have you given thought on how much longer you want to do it?
BR: Not really. I’ve been blessed with support from other people, so I never really think about it. I’m sure at some point they’ll let me know if you’re not doing your job, but I just sort of take each year as it goes. It’s been delightful this year. There’s never really been a year in my mind where I’ve felt tired. Plus, the tournament rejuvenates you. It’s like a whole different step up.
I just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.
FOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?
BR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.
Whether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.
For more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.
|
|
ESPN senior deputy editor Elizabeth Baugh has left the company for The Ring Magazine as executive editor Cristina Daglas has been under HR investigation, Baugh confirmed to Front Office Sports.
FOS first reported that Daglas has been on administrative leave since January after she was the subject of multiple HR complaints. An attorney for Daglas later sent a cease-and-desist letter to ESPN, accusing the network of harassment and retaliation. The lawyer also sent the letter to FOS by accident.
OutKick first reported that Baugh was also placed on administrative leave at ESPN as part of the Daglas investigation.
Baugh had been at ESPN for almost 10 years. In her most recent role, she oversaw coverage of boxing, WWE, UFC, tennis, golf, and the NHL. At The Ring, she will be head of marketing, communications, and branding.
“I am thrilled to join The Ring at such an important time for the legacy brand, and am excited to help carry out the vision,” Baugh told FOS in a statement. “I loved working at ESPN and will cherish the near-decade I spent there.”
ESPN declined to comment for this story.
Earlier this week, FOS reported that boxing reporter Mike Coppinger was also leaving ESPN for Ring Magazine. Baugh was Coppinger’s editor at ESPN.
Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and an advisor to the country’s Royal Court, purchased The Ring from Oscar De La Hoya last year for a reported price tag of $10 million. Alalshikh is putting on a number of massive fights this year, including a Times Square bonanza in May under the banner of The Ring. He’s also lined up Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford to fight in September under the Riyadh Season umbrella.
Alalshikh and Ring Magazine also announced last month they are partnering with TKO—the Endeavor-formed parent company of WWE and UFC—on an upstart boxing league.
|
|
|
|
- Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch.
- Despite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He’ll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.
- Bravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky’s son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X/Twitter.
- Kenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.
- Amazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.
|
|
|
2.9 million
The average viewership for this year’s women’s Elite Eight games, making it the second most-watched Elite Eight round on record. While down from last year’s Caitlin Clark–fueled 6.2 million, it’s still up 34% from 2023, showing the continuing rise of women’s college basketball.
|
|
|
Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?
|
|
Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.
|
|
|
