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NFL Eyes Nontraditional Media Partners for Live Games

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.

OpenAI to Air First TV Commercial During 2025 Super Bowl

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is set to debut its first-ever television commercial during the 2025 Super Bowl, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The Super Bowl, renowned for its massive audience and high-profile advertising opportunities, is an ideal platform for brands seeking widespread visibility. The event is expected to generate significant buzz, especially given the creative nature of Super Bowl ads.

This marks OpenAI’s first move into commercial advertising, following the footsteps of competitors like Google, which promoted its AI capabilities during last year’s Super Bowl. OpenAI, which did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, has rapidly expanded its influence since launching ChatGPT in late 2022. The AI tool now boasts over 300 million weekly active users.

The 30-second ad slots for the 2025 Super Bowl have been priced as high as $8 million, up from around $7 million last year. The game will be held on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with an estimated viewership of 210 million.

OpenAI, which is partly owned by Microsoft, is in discussions to raise as much as $40 billion, placing its valuation at around $300 billion. The company also appointed its first chief marketing officer, Kate Rouch, in December 2024, signaling its growing emphasis on branding and public outreach.

 

Netflix Collaborates with CBS Sports for Christmas Day NFL Games

Netflix has partnered with CBS Sports, owned by Paramount Global, to produce and air two National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day this year. CBS will retain broadcast rights for over-the-air television in the cities of the competing teams, while NFL+, the league’s live streaming service, will stream the games on mobile devices across the United States. This collaboration marks Netflix’s first venture into licensing live sports, particularly with the NFL, one of the world’s most popular sports leagues.

In May, Netflix announced plans to stream at least one NFL game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026, as part of an exclusive three-season agreement with the league. This initiative is a significant move for Netflix, as it not only highlights the streaming giant’s expansion into live sports but also strengthens its content portfolio. The NFL continues to be the most-watched sports league in the U.S., with this year’s Super Bowl drawing a record 123.7 million viewers. By securing the rights to stream NFL games, Netflix is positioning itself as a key player in the competitive sports streaming market, potentially attracting a broader audience to its platform.