NFL Gets Sweeter Sunday Deal From DirecTV

0

The National Football League said late Monday that it extended the deal that enables DirecTV Group Inc. to broadcast out-of-market Sunday afternoon football games through 2014.

While financial terms were not announced, media reports say the agreement will be worth $4 billion to the league over the four years of the contract. And the deal dilutes some of DirecTV’s exclusivity.

The El Segundo satellite TV provider has had exclusive control of the “NFL Sunday Ticket” for 15 years and uses it as a key marketing tool to attract subscribers. In a break from that arrangement, non-DirecTV customers will be able to see the “Red Zone” feature, which cuts-in to Sunday afternoon games when a team crosses an opponent’s 20-yard line. That feature will be available to cable TV, wireless devices and the Internet, no later than 2012, the NFL said.

A person familiar with the contract told the Associated Press the deal was worth $1 billion a year for four years to the league, up from a $700 million per season average in the previous deal. Also extended was DirecTV’s agreement to carry the NFL Network.

“We are pleased to extend a partnership with DirecTV that has complemented and supported our broadcast television packages for 15 years,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement.

DirecTV shares were down 36 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $23.09 in morning trading on the Nasdaq.

No posts to display