Next February, football fans will be able to watch Super Bowl LIII on mobile phones, TV devices, and tablets for free via CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports app. That decision was part of the network’s June agreement with the NFL. In addition to the free, no sign-in access, the network will also feature Super Bowl LIII on its CBS All Access subscription service.
“We’re looking forward to bringing this season’s biggest game to the biggest possible digital audience and building on the record-breaking Super Bowl streams we’ve delivered in the past,” said Jeff Gerttula, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS Sports Digital in a press release. “Streaming Super Bowl LIII across CBS Sports Digital and CBS All Access platforms is a win for NFL fans.”
In June, CBS agreed to an expanded agreement with the NFL that gives the network mobile broadcasting rights through 2022. CBS’ mobile apps are currently available on connected devices such as Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One, and Amazon Channels.
CBS and the NFL are hoping their consumer-friendly approach to watching the country’s most lucrative sporting event will result in record-breaking viewership numbers. Rival network NBC streamed last year’s Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots to a reported audience of 2.02 million, making it the most streamed Super Bowl in history.
SportTechie Takeaway
Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s chief business and media officer recently went into detail on the NFL’s broadcasting strategy at the league’s season preview media event.
“Our entire model—and I think this is different than other sports—is based on reach,” Rolapp said. “It’s based on reaching as many people as we can, as long as we can.”
Granting free, non-authenticated access to the Super Bowl is a monumental step for the league as it goes all-in on making “reach” its top viewing priority. Fans in 2018 will also be given free, live access to all in-market games on the NFL app and Yahoo Sports app, without the need to authenticate a cable subscription.