The National Football League and ViacomCBS have agreed to a new, 11-year multiplatform rights agreement that extends CBS’ long-standing relationship with the NFL through the 2033 season.
ViacomCBS said the deal grants an expansive list of NFL rights across its networks and platforms, enabling the company to “maximize its content creation, distribution and reach” throughout the contract period – which begins with the 2023 football season.
For the first time, a broadcasting rights deal gives CBS the opportunity to partner with the NFL for legalized sports betting applications.
Other provisions recognize the changing ways in which football games are consumed today, giving the company the ability to not only broadcast American Football Conference (AFC) games on the CBS Television Network, but also stream them live on Paramount+, ViacomCBS’ streaming service.
ViacomCBS noted it gained “extensive rights to innovate its content creation and distribution,” which will allow it to reach audiences across its various networks, properties and platforms. The broad rights grant includes expanded rights across CBS’ digital and social platforms, and the ability to implement interactive features for consumers on Paramount+ and via ViacomCBS’ distribution partners.
The expanded streaming rights begin with the 2021 season and extend throughout the length of the new deal to 2033.
CBS Sports will broadcast three Super Bowls, including the first in the new agreement, Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, as well as Super Bowl LXII in 2028 and Super Bowl LXVI in 2032.
“We are thrilled to extend and expand our long-term partnership with the NFL to create even more value for ViacomCBS and for NFL fans,” Bob Bakish, president and CEO of ViacomCBS, said in a statement. “Today’s groundbreaking deal ensures that more big games will be available on CBS and Paramount+, with greater NFL programming opportunities featured across all ViacomCBS platforms including Pluto TV, vastly expanding the NFL’s reach among younger audiences in a rapidly evolving media landscape.”
CBS Sports first began televising NFL regular-season games in 1956.
The NFL has a one-time right to opt out of this long-term multiplatform rights agreement after the 2029 season.
