NFL and Twitter's live streaming partnership to go live

In April 2016, The National Football League (NFL) announced that Twitter will be its exclusive partner to deliver a live Over-The-Top (OTT) digital stream of Thursday Night Football to a global audience across devices and for free during the 2016 NFL Regular Season. Twitter will stream the 10 Thursday Night Football games broadcast by NBC and CBS, which will also be simulcast on NFL Network, securing the league’s “Tri-Cast” distribution model of broadcast (NBC/CBS), cable (NFL Network), and digital (Twitter).

NFL and Twitter will provide free, live streaming video of Thursday Night Football (TNF) without authentication to the over 800 Million registered and non-registered users worldwide on the Twitter platform on mobile phones, tablets, PCs and connected TVs. In addition to live streaming video of NFL action, the partnership includes in-game highlights from TNF as well as pre-game Periscope broadcasts from players and teams, giving fans an immersive experience before, during and after games.

This partnership is leading the charge on multiple live stream partnerships between Twitter and premium content networks that will take place globally across countries, including India. Along with live streams of 10 NFL Thursday Night Football games, Twitter has also acquired live stream partnerships with content from MLB Advanced Media, NBA, Pac 12 Networks, Campus Insiders, Cheddar and Bloomberg News.

“This is about transforming the fan experience with football. People watch NFL games with Twitter today," said Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO. "Now they'll be able to watch right on Twitter Thursday nights.”

“Twitter is where live events unfold and is the right partner for the NFL as we take the latest step in serving fans around the world live NFL football,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  “There is a massive amount of NFL-related conversation happening on Twitter during our games and tapping into that audience, in addition to our viewers on broadcast and cable, will ensure Thursday Night Football is seen on an unprecedented number of platforms this season. This agreement also provides additional reach for those brands advertising with our broadcast partners.”

The first Thursday Night Football game will be streamed live on Friday morning on TNF.Twitter.com. Fans in India can watch the game live, and Tweet alongside using #TNF on Friday, 16th September at 5:00 AM IST for the pre-game show and at 5:55am IST for the start of the game.

#TNF live stream on Twitter:

●     Find the live stream om TNF.twitter.com to watch live.

●      ***TNF.twitter.com is now live and will be the same destination for all 10 games on Twitter***

●     Fans can stay up to date on what’s happening with a timeline of Tweets next to the livestream showing updates from athletes, commentators, teams and fans.

â—‹     The @NFL has this pinned Tweet at top of page: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/775696293209317378

●     Anyone who Tweets with TNF.twitter.com at end of Tweet will automatically play the live video card in their Tweet when the game is live.

●     When users click on the card (like in the above NFL Tweet), it takes you into the full experience with video player and Tweets.

●     Live streaming starts - 5:00 am IST on Friday, 16th September (pre-game)

●     Game kick-off starts - 5.55 am IST on Friday, 16th September

●     Turn on for LIVE notifications to get a reminder for the game: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/776209193489485824

Not on Twitter?

●     Fans can also access our live streams whether they are a Twitter user or not.

●     Logged out homepage for Twitter will also be a destination for NFL streams.

Ahead of the first Thursday Night Football game that will be live streamed on Twitter, the company also announced the launch of a new Twitter app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Microsoft’s Xbox One, which will allow anyone with these devices to consume the best of Twitter. The free apps will feature all live streaming video available on Twitter, and other Twitter content such as top Tweets and top global Vines and Periscopes. Anyone with these devices, regardless of whether they have a Twitter account or a pay TV subscription, can enjoy this experience. Exclusively on Apple TV, viewers can enjoy live premium video and check out Tweeted video clips through a seamless side-by-side video experience.

“These devices will bring Twitter’s live streaming video experience to life on the TV screen,” said Anthony Noto, chief financial officer at Twitter. “Twitter has always been a great complement to TV, and now fans can enjoy even more premium video with live Tweets — and the best content on Twitter — right from their TVs. We’re excited to introduce this new experience to people, without requiring a paywall or having to log in to Twitter.”

These free apps will become available in select markets around the world, starting today. Twitter for Apple TV is available globally via the App Store for Apple TV (4th generation). Twitter on Xbox One will be available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Twitter for Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are available in the United States and the United Kingdom. Visit relevant app stores to access. People do not need a Twitter account or a  cable or satellite subscription to access the HD streams.