Twitter pens multiyear NFL deal that doesnt include live games

NFLTwitter has signed a new multiyear deal with the NFL to deliver official content on the microblogging site. However, the deal doesn’t include the livestreaming of any games.

The NFL and Twitter have collaborated since 2013 through the Amplify program, and first extended their work together in 2015 with an initial content agreement. This agreement would lead to Twitter livestreaming the NFL’s Thursday Night Football games in 2016.

Despite this, the pair’s latest deal will not see any games streamed on the social network, after Amazon won the rights to those games last month. Instead, the NFL will produce a 30-minute live digital show, provide live pre-game coverage, and share a ‘full slate’ of highlights, breaking news and analysis.

“Twitter continues to be an important partner in accessing millions of highly engaged fans on digital media,” said Brian Rolapp, chief media and business officer for the NFL. “We have every expectation that the new daily live show, produced by NFL Network and featuring some of our top analysts, will quickly become some of the most popular programming on Twitter.”

The 30-minute live digital show will five days a week, hosted by ‘top NFL network talent’, and cover breaking news, highlights, fantasy projections, pre-game updates, and more. Meanwhile, the NFL will use Periscope and Twitter to deliver behind-the-scenes pre-game coverage, including player warm-ups and sideline interviews, and program ‘fan favourites’ such as ‘Throwback Thursday’.

“We are very excited to offer football fans around the world even more content on Twitter from the NFL,” said Anthony Noto, Twitter COO. “This new multiyear collaboration will bring compelling live studio programs that discuss whats happening in the NFL, unique behind the scenes live broadcasts before games, and the best NFL highlights to Twitter, alongside the real-time NFL conversation.”

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