Last week, we told you about the the story of the NFL playing Google and Netflix off the traditional television networks in potentially selling a new Thursday Night Football package. And while Google will continue to be used by the NFL as a threat against the cable sports networks, it won't be using Netflix.
In an investor quarterly conference call this week, Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos shot down any speculation that Netflix would go into the sports business. He said, "We're still not interested in sports." Sarandos added that watching sports is a linear experience or one that is best experienced on a TV screen.
So there goes one bargaining chip out the window. The NFL was hoping to use the online companies against CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC, Turner and any other network as a way to squeeze more money for its product. It still can, perhaps it will substitute Apple for Netflix.
At the present time, Netflix continues to concentrate on providing movies and original series to its subscribers. Maybe down the road, sports will be part of the Netflix strategy, but for now, it's not going to happen.
[Deadline]
Comments are closed.
About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.