“NFL’s ‘Sunday Ticket’ Games Can Now Be Streamed at Bars and Restaurants Thanks to EverPass Acquisition”

The NFL’s “Sunday Ticket” games are no longer restricted to satellite TV providers like DirecTV. EverPass Media, a joint venture between the NFL and RedBird Capital Partners, has acquired UPshow, a platform that enables commercial establishments to stream live sports. This acquisition opens up new opportunities for bars, restaurants, casinos, and other businesses to stream “Sunday Ticket” games without relying solely on DirecTV subscriptions. While DirecTV will continue to distribute the games, EverPass now has the ability to reach deals with other distribution platforms.

The shift towards streaming is evident, as more content, including live sports, is moving away from traditional pay TV packages. EverPass CEO Alex Kaplan recognizes the importance of live sports in the streaming landscape and wants to provide customers with a meaningful way to aggregate sports content. This acquisition marks a significant step forward for EverPass as it expands its offerings to include live sports streaming.

The availability of “Sunday Ticket” through streaming services is a game-changer for bars and restaurants that rely on out-of-market NFL games to attract customers. In 2022, Google’s YouTube TV secured the residential rights to “Sunday Ticket” in a deal worth approximately $2 billion per year. This move followed Amazon’s exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football” as part of a massive 11-year NFL media rights agreement. With media rights owners offering games simultaneously or exclusively on their streaming platforms, businesses now have the option to access NFL games through different services.

EverPass’s acquisition of UPshow is not the only recent development for the company. They have also welcomed TKO, a merged company comprising Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment, as a new investor. With RedBird, the NFL, and TKO backing them, EverPass believes they have the resources to further enhance their technology. Additionally, EverPass is exploring opportunities to become a distributor for other content beyond “Sunday Ticket” and the NFL. The company is actively seeking new content partnerships and is optimistic about the future of its content pipeline.

EverPass’s partnership with UPshow began with the introduction of Peacock Sports Pass, which allows commercial establishments to stream live sports from NBCUniversal’s platform. The pricing for Peacock Sports Pass, similar to the upcoming “Sunday Ticket” distribution, depends on the classification of the commercial establishment. Furthermore, the acquisition of UPshow opens up global distribution possibilities for EverPass, aligning with the NFL, NBA, and MLB’s efforts to expand into international markets.

Overall, this acquisition and partnership signify a significant shift in the way live sports are distributed and consumed. With streaming becoming increasingly popular, businesses now have more options to access and stream NFL games, providing greater flexibility for establishments that rely on live sports as a draw for customers. EverPass’s expansion into live sports streaming and their ambitions to distribute other content highlight the company’s commitment to adapting to the evolving streaming landscape.