In a move that bolsters the importance of non-traditional markets, the NFL and NBC announced Tuesday that the wild card Saturday, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl will all be available online. Additionally, Verizon's NFL Mobile app will also stream the games.
The NFL has offered access to live out-of-market games via NFL.com for several years. Additionally, since 2009, NBCSports.com has offered live telecasts of Sunday Night Football.
The Associated Press report doesn't indicate that any payment will be required to watch the Super Bowl online, nor does it detail whether non-Verizon devices will have access to the game. We've reached out to the NFL and NBC Sports for further comment.
This is a huge move for major sports. The Super Bowl is consistently one of the most-watched television programs of the year. In fact, last season's matchup between the Packers-Steelers drew a record 111 million viewers in the U.S. - a record for U.S. television.
Offering a simulcast online opens up the game to fans who may have decided to cut the cord (or who don't even have TVs anymore). This is great news for advertisers, who get additional eyeballs as well.
Will you tune into the big game online or via traditional means? Let us know.