NFL Mobile app now free for all customers as reports indicate imminent launch of video service
Just ahead of the expected launch of a mobile-focused video platform, Verizon Wireless is expanding access to its exclusive agreement with the National Football League to stream NFL games.
Verizon Wireless said it will now allow unfettered access to its NFL Mobile application to all “current and legacy price plans” that include live streaming of Sunday local games, Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football and the NFL Network. The expanded access pushes beyond the apps previous offer of free access only to customers on Verizon Wireless’ shared data plans, with those on legacy plans – including its discontinued unlimited data plan – being charged $5 per month.
Customers also can add access to the NFV RedZone package for $2 per month during the season.
Verizon Wireless recently revamped its contract plans under the Verizon Plan moniker that does away with device subsidies for new customers. Verizon Wireless recently clarified that customers currently on plans tied to device subsidies would be able to continue that arrangement.
Verizon Wireless replaced Sprint Nextel in 2010 as the exclusive home for official NFL content, and continues to hold that card in light of AT&T’s recent acquisition of DirecTV, which has a lucrative distribution agreement with the NFL.
Verizon Wireless video service on deck?
The move also comes as published reports claim Verizon Wireless was just “days” away from launching its mobile-first video service thought to carry the Go90 brand. Reports indicate the service will launch initially with a truncated content offering, including content from AOL, DreamWorks Animation SKG’s Awesomeness TV, Vice Media and Viacom.
Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo had previously stated the carrier’s initial launch would likely be a limited offering in terms of content.
“This is a lineup that is really around all live-type news clips and sports and events, so very different than what anyone else is bringing to the marketplace,” Shammo explained.
The video service also is expected to take advantage of its LTE Multicast technology, which Verizon has been trialling for a couple of years at major sporting events. The technology allows the one-way streaming of video content to multiple devices using a smaller section of wireless spectrum than current video-streaming services.
Shammo said that all new smartphones sold beginning late last year are embedded with multicast support, except for Apple’s iPhone lineup.
Verizon has been aggressively pursuing media content delivery through its Verizon Digital Media platform. The telecom giant purchased EdgeCast Networks in late 2013 to bolster its content delivery options.
Verizon Wireless also was an initial consumer of video content via Qualcomm’s MediaFLO mobile TV platform that was announced in early 2007. The service, which was dubbed Vcast, offered up a handful of television channels including shows from CBS, Comedy Central, Fox, MTV, NBC News, NBC Entertainment and Nickelodeon. Qualcomm eventually shuttered the MediaFLO service, selling the 700 MHz spectrum that powered the offering to AT&T.
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