Fox said it will offer a live, non-authenticated stream of Super Bowl LI via Fox Sports Go, and that the network, as a first-time bonus, will work with more than 170 Fox affiliates to deliver local ads via the online video feed of the big game.
Fox said it will stream the game for free at FOXSportsGo.com as well as apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and Amazon tablets, and via a variety of TV-connected devices, including Apple TV boxes, Roku players and Roku TVs, Android TV-powered devices, the Google Chromecast streaming adapter, Amazon Fire TV players, and the Xbox One console. Verizon has the NFL streaming rights on smartphones.
Because it’s a non-authenticated stream, Fox’s online feed of the Super Bowl broadcast won’t require viewers to enter their pay TV credentials to view it.
Fox noted that more than 170 Fox affiliates have already committed to work with Fox Sports to program local digital ads for Super Bowl LI. Those participating affiliates will have access to same ad inventory for both the linear and digital broadcasts of the February 5 game, they said.
CBS’s live stream of Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers drew 3.96 million unique viewers across laptops, desktops, tablets, connected TV devices and mobile phones. That compared to the CBS Super Bowl telecast, which averaged 111.9 million viewers.
“As part of the buildup to this year’s Super Bowl, we’re committed to creating the best possible experience for fans by dramatically expanding the ways and places in which they can watch the game,” Eric Shanks, Fox Sports president, COO and executive producer, said in a statement. “Our pioneering collaboration with our affiliates to allow streaming local ad insertions will make commercials even more relevant for viewers and help make this year’s game even more of a personal experience for every fan,”
“We’re excited that this year’s Super Bowl will showcase the unique relationship of FOX and its local affiliates which allows us to collaborate on innovations such as this,” added Brian Jones, EVP and COO of Nexstar Broadcasting Group and chairman of the Fox affiliates board of governors. An incredible 170 affiliates from all around the U.S., including 22 stations that Nexstar owns or provides services to, opted to participate in this first-of-its-kind digital ad insertion for the Super Bowl, allowing us to promote our local affiliate brands and reach viewers on a national scale.”
