Tim Brando, a veteran Fox Sports play-by-play announcer for college basketball and football, appeared on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich" podcast and expressed that many Americans, particularly those in their 50s and older, are frustrated by the proliferation of streaming platforms needed to watch NFL games.[1][2]
"I’m here to tell you, a lot of America isn’t ready for it and doesn’t like it," Brando said, referring to the shift away from traditional over-the-air networks like CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC toward streaming services.[1]
The NFL's current primetime packages are distributed across multiple platforms under its 11-year media rights agreement worth $110 billion, running through the 2033 season: Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to "Thursday Night Football," NBC and Peacock broadcast "Sunday Night Football," ESPN and ABC air "Monday Night Football," and Netflix streams select Christmas Day games, including all such games starting in 2026.[3][4]
Brando drew a comparison to the 2024 Big East Tournament, where some games moved exclusively to Peacock, leaving fans searching for access who were accustomed to Fox broadcasts.[1][2]
Legacy broadcast networks have invested heavily in rights, but streaming services like Amazon, Netflix and others generate higher revenue streams, accelerating the shift, according to Brando.[1]
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission launched a public inquiry on September 5, 2024, into the migration of live sports, including NFL games, from broadcast television to streaming platforms, seeking input on impacts to consumers.[5]
To access all NFL regular-season games in 2024, including local and national broadcasts, fans needed subscriptions to services costing a minimum of approximately $73 per month for core channels plus additional fees for Amazon Prime Video ($14.99/month), Peacock and Netflix holiday games, totaling around $575 to $800 annually depending on bundles.[6][7]
The NFL's current annual media rights revenue averages about $10 billion, with the league positioned to negotiate additional packages or extensions beyond 2033.[3][4]
Sources
- Fox News. "Fox Sports' Tim Brando says NFL streaming proliferation is a problem: 'A lot of America isn’t ready for it'". October 10, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/fox-sports-tim-brando-says-nfl-streaming-proliferation-problem-lot-america-isnt-ready
- OutKick. "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich" episode featuring Tim Brando. Accessed October 2024. https://www.outkick.com/dont-at-me-dan-dakich
- NFL.com. "NFL’s new media deals explained: Everything to know about the 11-year agreement". March 18, 2021 (updated). https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-s-new-media-deals-explained-everything-to-know-about-the-11-year-agreement
- Sports Business Journal. "Netflix lands NFL Christmas Day games in new streaming deal". December 20, 2023. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/12/20/netflix-nfl-christmas/
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC). "FCC Seeks Comment on Live Sports Streaming". September 5, 2024. https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-live-sports-streaming-0
- The Streamable. "How Much Does It Cost to Watch the NFL in 2024?". Accessed October 2024. https://thestreamable.com/guide/cost-to-watch-nfl
- Cord Cutters News. "How much does it cost to watch every NFL game without cable?". September 2024. https://cordcuttersnews.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-watch-every-nfl-game-without-cable/
