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NFL Eyes Nontraditional Media Partners for Live Games

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The National Football League plans to hold talks with media companies outside its traditional broadcast partners about selling rights to live games, according to comments by the league’s media chief to CNBC. The move reflects the NFL’s effort to evaluate new distribution models as digital platforms increasingly rival broadcast television.

NFL executive Hans Schroeder said the league is exploring conversations with companies that may not seek a full rights package but could be interested in airing a single live game. The goal, he said, is to understand all available options and determine the best approach for fans, teams, and the league’s long-term strategy.

The league has already taken steps in this direction. Last season, it sold rights to a Week One game to YouTube, owned by Google, reportedly for about $100 million, signaling how streaming platforms can now deliver audiences comparable to traditional broadcasters.

Looking ahead, the NFL is set to host a record nine international games next season and could create a new media package for some of those matchups as early as next year. The discussions highlight how shifting viewing habits are expanding the league’s options as it balances reach, revenue, and fan engagement.

Fox Surpasses Quarterly Estimates, Increases Buyback Authorization by $5 Billion

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Fox Corp (FOXA.O) reported quarterly revenue and profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by strong advertising growth, rising affiliate fees, and the expanding audience of its free ad-supported streaming service, Tubi. The company also announced an increase of $5 billion to its share repurchase authorization.

In the fiscal fourth quarter, revenue from affiliate fees rose 2.6%, supported by growth across both cable and television segments. Despite challenging comparisons with last year’s major international sports events like Copa America and the UEFA European Championship, Fox benefited from improving advertising trends. Advertising revenue grew 7.1%, fueled primarily by digital growth led by Tubi and higher news ratings and pricing.

Tubi’s growth strengthens Fox’s position in the fast-expanding ad-supported streaming sector, attracting younger, cord-cutting viewers who are less reachable via traditional TV. Building on this momentum, Fox plans to launch a subscription-based streaming service, Fox One, on August 21 at $19.99 per month to extend its reach beyond cable TV.

In June, Fox expanded its sports broadcasting footprint in Mexico by acquiring Caliente TV, a sports-focused streaming platform and television channel.

Fox’s total revenue for the quarter rose 6.3% to $3.29 billion, beating estimates of $3.12 billion. The cable network programming unit posted nearly 7% revenue growth to $1.53 billion amid the ongoing shift to digital streaming.

Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.27, surpassing analysts’ estimates of 99 cents.

Apple Bids Over $150 Million Annually for U.S. Formula 1 Streaming Rights

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Apple has made a bid of at least $150 million per year to secure the U.S. streaming rights for Formula 1 races starting in 2026, according to a report by Business Insider citing an insider familiar with the negotiations. The tech giant appears to be the frontrunner in the bidding process, with ESPN, currently the rights holder, opting not to match or surpass Apple’s offer.

Apple did not comment on the report when contacted by Reuters, while Formula 1 and its parent company Liberty Media have yet to respond. This development comes on the heels of Apple’s success with the film “F1: The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which has grossed more than $300 million globally.

ESPN holds the U.S. broadcasting rights for the current Formula 1 season, but its exclusivity period to negotiate a new deal with Formula 1 expired earlier this year, Reuters reported in February.

If Apple wins the rights, it would mark a significant expansion of the company’s sports streaming portfolio and further challenge traditional sports broadcasters in the U.S. market.