The National Football League (NFL) is set to host its first-ever Black Friday game, featuring an AFC East clash between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets. The game, which is part of Amazon's 'Thursday Night Football' deal with the NFL, will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. This move marks a significant shift from traditional TV broadcasts to streaming, which is seen as a warning sign for traditional TV, given the declining ad revenue and customers cutting the cable cord.
The game will also be broadcast on local TV affiliates in New York, NY, and Miami, FL, providing multiple viewing options for fans. Amazon Prime offers a 30-day free trial and costs $14.99 per month ($139 annually) after the trial ends. The game will also feature new limited-time holiday deals announced by Amazon during the game.
In terms of the game itself, the Jets' defense is under scrutiny, particularly after the poor quarterback play and the demotion of Zach Wilson to third-stringer. The team's defense is expected to step up, especially against the Dolphins, who are seen as a challenge. The Dolphins are near double-digit favorites against the Jets, with analysts predicting that the Dolphins will cover the spread due to the Jets' recent poor performance and the Dolphins' strong record.
The NFL and Amazon hope to make the Black Friday game an annual tradition, further solidifying the shift towards streaming platforms. ESPN also has plans to bring all its programming to streaming in a direct-to-consumer release, indicating a broader trend in the sports broadcasting industry.