Google in talks to buy rights to NFL's Sunday Ticket service - report

By IVCPOST Staff Reporter

Aug 21, 2013 10:03 PM EDT

On Wednesday, tech blog AllThingsD said Google Inc is currently having talks with the National Footbal League. The report said the search engine king wanted to acquire the rights to NFL's Sunday Ticket subscription television service presently owned by DirecTV.

The internet search corporation has been attempting to obtain original programming and generate subscription income versus advertising revenue. The purchase, if completed, would boost the media efforts of Google.

At present, the Sunday Ticket service permits the NFL fans to watch various football games over and beyond their local markets. Google's attempt would put pressure to DirecTV since its contract with NFL would expire after the 2014 season. However, DirecTV is optimistic that it would still renew the projected USD1 billion per year Sunday Ticket contract.

"I've always been pretty skeptical that rights holders of significant events are going to put those events on digital platforms. The leagues love to float the idea that its a possibility because it creates a sense of more competition and accelerates prices," Walt Disney Co's ESPN sports network president, John Skipper, said.

© 2024 VCPOST, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics