NFL putting next year's Thursday Night games up for bidding. Biggest changes is the possibility of no NFL Network exclusive games and streaming services being allowed to show all games. NFL is trying to push to see if they can co-host a playoff game but not expected to be approved by whoever wins the bids.
Also possible for one network to buy out all the games instead of splitting it with other networks.
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The NFL has told TV networks that it is ready to accept bids for the “Thursday Night Football” package that, once again, will be for just two years, according to several sources. The league last week sent formal RFPs to the usual TV partners and outlets -- CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and Turner -- that outlined the NFL’s plan to sell a one-year deal with a league option for a second year. The league also sent RFPs to several digital companies, like Google, Yahoo, Apple and Amazon, to stream the entire Thursday night schedule on a non-exclusive basis, sources said. The league’s initial plan would have the digital streams serve as a simulcast of the television production -- with the same ads and in-game production features. The league expects bidding to start in the low $300M for the television package, with a nominal escalator in year two, sources said. CBS currently is paying around $300M per season for the Thursday night package.
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