This fall, the NFL will globally live-stream its first regular season game on the web for free on Yahoo. The Internet giant will broadcast the October 25th game between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars and — unless you live in either team’s home market — Yahoo will be your only option for watching the game. The game, which will be played in London, will air at 9:30 am ET and be available to watch on Yahoo, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Screen, and Tumblr.
“The NFL has always been committed to being at the forefront of media innovation,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “Through this partnership with Yahoo — one of the world’s most recognizable digital brands — we are taking another important step in that direction as we continue to closely monitor the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.”
The October event will be the first time that the NFL itself has exclusively partnered with an online streaming platform. Aside from the viewing platform, the broadcast will be the same as any other regular season game — and will, unsurprisingly, have ads. “It will look and feel and be delivered to the fans traditionally as a high-quality production would go,” said NFL’s VP of digital media Vishal Shah to The Verge. “The talent, the story lines, the knowledge base of both the commentators and the ability to access information are going to be there.”
It’s certainly a big win for Yahoo as they continue to broaden their on-demand streaming video offerings on Yahoo Screen. “We’re thrilled that the NFL has chosen Yahoo for this historic opportunity,” said Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer in a statement. “The NFL and Yahoo have both long engaged football fans around the world. Our partnership provides the ultimate football experience — with digital availability designed for the modern fan.”
