Super Wild Card Game Exclusively Streaming on Peacock Raises Concerns for NFL Fans Outside of Kansas City and Miami

Tonight’s highly anticipated Super Wild Card matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins is set to break new ground, as it will be the first-ever NFL playoff game exclusively streamed on the Peacock platform. While fans in the Kansas City and Miami markets will have easy access to watch the game, those outside of these regions face the challenge of subscribing to the Peacock streaming app.

Concerns arise with this exclusive streaming arrangement, as NFL fans who live outside of the two cities will have to pay a monthly fee to watch their favorite teams in action. The Peacock service, offered by NBCUniversal, offers two tiers of subscription: a $5.99 per month plan and an ad-free version at $11.99 per month.

This unexpected move caught the staff and owner of Kelly O’Brian’s sports bar in Colorado Springs off guard when the playoff schedule was announced last week. The bar, known for its commitment to airing every NFL game and adorned with hand-painted team logos and NFL merchandise, typically relies on DirecTV’s Sunday NFL Ticket to show the games on multiple TVs. But for this exclusive streaming game, they had to invest around $1,000 in purchasing Roku web streaming devices and acquiring licensing agreements to legally show the game on three of their TVs.

Brett Siegel, an Assistant Professor of Sports Communication at UCCS, explained that this move by the NFL reflects the changing landscape of television consumption. With the rise of streaming channels, many households have ditched traditional cable and satellite subscriptions, opting for more flexible streaming services. While this exclusive streaming arrangement may worry certain NFL fans, Siegel assures that it is likely a gradual testing of the waters, rather than a signal of all NFL games moving behind paywalls.

This streaming deal is not entirely unprecedented, as Amazon Plus subscribers have enjoyed access to Thursday Night Football games since 2022. Siegel highlights that the ratings data from these streamed games tends to skew towards a younger audience, aligning with the NFL’s strategy to engage younger viewers. Siegel also references innovative multi-casts, such as the ones featuring Nickelodeon and Toy Story themes, aimed at attracting younger fans to the sport.

Despite the initial concerns surrounding this exclusive streaming arrangement, it serves as an opportunity for NBCUniversal to leverage sports as a key growth driver for its Peacock streaming service. And while the Super Wild Card game being exclusively streamed on Peacock highlights a changing media landscape, traditional broadcast networks still hold significant broadcast rights for NFL games through 2033, ensuring accessible coverage for viewers.

As NFL fans navigate their options for accessing tonight’s game, they can look forward to Kelly O’Brian’s sports bar in Colorado Springs being better prepared for next year, as the stress of this weekend’s exclusive streaming experience has pushed them to find even better ways to serve their loyal fan base.