All articles tagged with #nfl network
ESPN has completed a deal to acquire NFL Network and RedZone rights after regulatory clearance, a move that also gives the NFL a 10% stake in Disney-owned ESPN, signaling a major shift in U.S. sports media.
ESPN’s purchase of NFL Network has been approved, with plans to keep NFL Network as a separate brand while blending top talent from both networks to create new synergies; a major change will be removing Monday Night Football doubleheaders in favor of a single MNF game per week with a scheduled lineup on NFL Network. The digest also covers NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball debut, a Black History Month post omission controversy, Marshawn Lynch on Bill Maher’s podcast, Puka Nacua’s throwback social post, and a preview of this week’s SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast with Bryan Curtis and Sal Licata.
ESPN and the NFL have won regulatory approval for a landmark equity deal: ESPN will acquire control of NFL Network and other NFL Media assets, while the NFL earns a 10% stake in ESPN. NFL Network will be fully integrated into ESPN ahead of the next season, with ESPN subscribers gaining NFL Network access at no extra cost. The pact expands game coverage to 28 per season (21 on ESPN networks, 7 on NFL Network), eliminates Monday Night Football doubleheaders, and leaves four additional games to be sold to a streamer. The NFL will continue to operate NFL+, NFL.com, and the in-house RedZone broadcast, with ESPN owning the linear rights to RedZone. The transition begins in April, setting the stage for ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027.
Disney’s ESPN closes a deal to take control of NFL Network and other NFL Media assets, in exchange for a 10% stake in ESPN (Hearst retains 18%). The transaction values ESPN at about $30 billion, with a significant portion of the value deferred until late fiscal year 2033 and renegotiation options thereafter. Integration begins in 2026, with NFL Network folded into ESPN’s streaming service and NFL RedZone distributed to pay-TV providers by ESPN starting in the 2026 season; some NFL employees will move to ESPN in April, and fans are not expected to notice changes until the full deal takes effect over the coming years.
The NFL and ESPN have closed the sale of NFL Network and other NFL Media assets to ESPN after government approval, with ESPN set to operate NFL Network and gain rights to RedZone, while the NFL takes a 10% stake in ESPN. The deal includes merging the NFL.com fantasy project with ESPN.com and begins integration of NFL staff in the coming months, signaling a potential boost to ESPN’s upcoming TV packages and expanded NFL programming with a closing target of Aug. 1.
ESPN finalized the acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and the distribution rights to RedZone, with the NFL obtaining a 10% stake in ESPN; the deal includes integrating NFL staff into ESPN, expanding NFL programming, and shifting some games between ESPN and NFL Network, while the NFL preserves RedZone production and distribution rights and brands.
Regulators approved ESPN’s billion-dollar acquisition of NFL Media assets, giving the NFL a 10% stake in ESPN and making ESPN the owner/operator of NFL Network and RedZone while integrating fantasy football into ESPN’s platform. ESPN will air 28 regular-season games (including NFL Network’s seven), four Monday Night Football doubleheaders will move to NFL Network next season, and NFL employees will begin integrating into ESPN as the networks deepen collaboration ahead of a fall 2026 rollout and a broader direct-to-consumer push.
The government approved and closed ESPN’s purchase of NFL Media, giving ESPN control of NFL Network, the rights to the RedZone channel, and merging NFL.com fantasy with ESPN.com; NFL employees will move to ESPN in 2026, the NFL will own 10% of ESPN, ESPN will televise 28 NFL games per year, and the NFL’s plan to end Monday Night Football doubleheaders includes selling those four games, signaling a tighter league-broadcaster relationship ahead of future TV deals.
The 2026 Senior Bowl takes place Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m. ET in Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL. It will be broadcast on NFL Network with NFL+ streaming, offering Lions fans a key live look at this year’s draft prospects amid the week’s practices.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport outlines the top potential head coaching candidates for the Buffalo Bills for the 2026 season on Up To The Minute.
The NFL Network's Vikings-Browns game in London attracted 6.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched London game on the network and indicating growing American interest in Sunday morning football, with total viewership likely higher when including local broadcasts.
ESPN is set to assume the lease for NFL Network’s 75,000-square-foot studio near SoFi Stadium, a move that signifies a significant financial commitment and is part of a broader deal to secure ESPN’s ongoing broadcast rights for NFL games.
ESPN is taking over the lease for NFL Network’s studios near SoFi Stadium as part of a broader deal where ESPN will acquire NFL Network, RedZone, and NFL fantasy assets, with the NFL taking a 10% stake in ESPN; the deal is pending regulatory approval.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed confidence in the new ESPN-NFL Network deal, which involves ESPN acquiring NFL Network and expanding NFL programming, aiming to grow the league's audience globally and increase revenue, pending approval from team owners and regulators.
ESPN, a Disney subsidiary, is acquiring the NFL Network in a landmark deal that includes a 10% NFL stake in ESPN, expanding NFL content across ESPN's platforms, and merging NFL Fantasy Football with ESPN Fantasy Football, aiming to enhance the fan experience and expand NFL coverage.