ESPN to Buy Some NFL Media Assets, Including NFL Network
Disney's ESPN is buying the NFL Network and other NFL media assets, including its linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy, in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN, the NFL said Tuesday night. The pro football league said the deal will make NFL programming available on ESPN's upcoming streaming service while it also remains on MVPDs and other streaming platforms.
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The deal is "a major win" for ESPN, MoffettNathanson wrote investors Wednesday. The partnership with the NFL helps alleviate risk from ESPN's direct-to-consumer transition, it said. ESPN having full control of NFL Network and linear distribution of the RedZone Channel expands the NFL's reach in linear and supplements what it does in streaming, MoffettNathanson said.
ESPN said its streaming service will launch Aug. 21.