NFL Sunday Ticket shifts to streaming-only model for businesses
Businesses showing NFL games will need to adapt to a new normal as NFL Sunday Ticket shifts to a streaming-only model. EverPass Media announced that it would be the exclusive commercial partner for NFL Sunday Ticket starting with the 2027 NFL season, replacing DirecTV as the provider.
This move marks a big departure from a long-standing tradition, as DirecTV’s contract for NFL Sunday Ticket ended in 2022, with YouTube briefly taking over before EverPass Media was created in 2023 by the NFL and RedBird Capital specifically to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket’s commercial rights. This change means that bars will no longer be able to rely on DirecTV cable to access Sunday Ticket, but will have to turn to new streaming hardware, like EverPass’s proprietary boxes or Spectrum’s Xumo boxes.
In response to these changes, DirecTV expressed disappointment, explaining that EverPass Media lacked meaningful collaboration with them and was pushing businesses toward a streaming-only model. However, EverPass Media asserts that their hardware is designed to cater to the evolving industry landscape.
This transition to streaming marks a significant change for bars and sports enthusiasts. While EverPass guarantees “business-grade reliability,” it poses a new challenge for bars to ensure they have robust internet connectivity to support multiple streams simultaneously and avoid interruptions during critical game moments.
Moreover, EverPass offers more than just NFL content. It has partnerships with a range of providers for other sports events as well, making it a comprehensive streaming service for sports fans. However, DirecTV still holds exclusive rights to satellite-based sports subscriptions like NHL Center Ice, NBA League Pass, and MLB Extra Innings.
Despite the benefits EverPass assures, this shift to a streaming model for NFL Sunday Ticket highlights how cable is declining in the U.S., underscoring uncertainties about whether the streaming revolution will indeed enhance the sports-watching experience. Only time will tell how bars and sports fans will adapt to this pivotal change in how NFL games are accessed and enjoyed.
