NFL Teaming Up With Pluto TV On New Archival Network

Pluto TV has partnered with the NFL to "create a new free-to-consumer channel that will stretch the league's brand out even further." The NFL Channel will be devoted to league library content, featuring "highlights and full reels of classic games, recaps of legendary seasons" and archival episodes of HBO's "Hard Knocks." The NFL, which recently partnered with Amazon, is "said to be actively looking to attract younger audiences through digital channels." Since Viacom purchased Pluto TV in January for $340M, the platform has "purportedly swelled to 18 million regular users" (MULTICHANNEL.com, 8/20).

Because Pluto is "available free for consumers, much of the programming on its 150-plus networks approximates but does not duplicate what pay-TV subscribers get via the traditional bundle." This means the NFL Channel "will not mirror the NFL Network" (DEADLINE.com, 8/20).