Google-owned YouTube has become that latest big tech company to make a major incursion into the live sports business. Following recent landmark deals by Amazon and Apple, the streaming platform has signed a US$14bn, seven-year deal to secure control of US rights to the NFL’s Sunday ticket – held by DirecTV since 1994. Until news of the deal broke in December, Apple had been considered the front-runner.
Under the terms of the deal, NFL will be available on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels – both of which are subscription services. The partnership represents a significant moment both for the platform and the sports right sector.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said: “YouTube has long been a home for football fans, whether they’re streaming live games, keeping up with their home team, or watching the best plays in highlights. Through this expanded partnership with the NFL, viewers will now also be able to experience the game they love in compelling and innovative ways through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added: “For a number of years we have been focused on increased digital distribution of our games and this partnership is another example of us looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL fans.”
The big question now is whether YouTube will expand its interest in sports rights to the international market. If so, it will represent an intriguing new opportunity for leading rights holders, but an additional challenge for platforms like Sky and Viaplay.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Agencies Issue Joint Statement on Crypto-Asset Risks to
Banking Organizations
Federal bank regulatory agencies today issued a statement highlighting key risks for banking organizations associated with crypto-assets and the crypto-asset sector and describing the agencies’ approaches to supervision in this area.
In particular, the statement describes several key risks associated with crypto-assets and the crypto-asset sector, as demonstrated by the significant volatility and vulnerabilities over the past year. Given these risks, the agencies continue to take a careful and cautious approach related to current and proposed crypto-asset-related activities and exposures at banking organizations. The agencies continue to assess whether or how current and proposed crypto-asset-related activities by banking organizations can be conducted in a manner that is safe and sound, legally permissible, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those designed to protect consumers.
The agencies will continue to closely monitor crypto-asset-related exposures of banking organizations, and, as warranted, will issue additional statements related to engagement by banking organizations in crypto-asset related activities.
