The NFL will "use the Internet to stream football
games" in select int'l markets via broadband through a new
partnership with Fantastic Entertainment and
GlobalMedia.com, according to Ian Mohr of the HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER. The NFL will "test" the subscription or PPV
service next month with "plans for a full deployment" during
the 2001 season. Though no "specific territories were
named" on Tuesday during a demonstration in N.Y., NFL Senior
VP/Market Development Tola Murphy said that the league "will
not bring its new service to markets 'where the NFL had
robust terrestrial or cable television arrangements' in
place." Murphy also said that subscription fees "will be
determined on a market-by-market basis," and that the NFL
"views the new service as a way of expanding football's fan
base rather than as a new revenue stream." Murphy: "We
don't expect this to be a meaningful revenue producer for
some time to come." Mohr added that the interactive
broadband service will stream games "in any language
selected by the user." The site will also provide stats,
photos and e-commerce opportunities for fans to purchase NFL
products (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 10/19). Murphy: "This is a
huge step forward in providing full interactivity between
the user and the content" (DAILY VARIETY, 10/19).
