DOLLY PARTON RETURNS TO PUBLIC EYE TO CELEBRATE OPENING DAY AT DOLLYWOOD . (PHOTO).
ESPN has finalized its acquisition of NFL Network and other league digital assets following regulatory approval, officially closing the deal Saturday night. Government reviews, including by the Justice Department and non-U.S. antitrust authorities, cleared the transaction, allowing ESPN to take ownership while the NFL receives a 10% equity stake in the network.
The deal gives ESPN control of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and distribution rights for the RedZone channel to cable and satellite providers. In a joint statement, ESPN and the NFL said the integration of NFL employees into ESPN will begin in the coming months, promising expanded programming, enhanced Fantasy experiences, and comprehensive NFL coverage. Changes for viewers are not expected until April, when the NFL Media staff officially joins ESPN.
NFL Network, with nearly 50 million subscribers, will be part of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platform, launched last August. ESPN will distribute NFL RedZone while the league retains ownership, production, and digital distribution rights. The RedZone brand will also give ESPN the potential to launch similar channels for college football, basketball, or other sports.
NFL Fantasy will merge with ESPN Fantasy, making ESPN the official fantasy football platform of the league. NFL Network will continue airing seven games per season, with ESPN’s four Monday-night games, including overlapping windows, moving to the network, and ESPN licensing three additional games. The NFL has reclaimed four international games, with each team possibly playing at least one international matchup under an 18-game regular-season plan.
The NFL will continue to control NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of all 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network, and the ad-supported streaming service NFL FAST Channel. Following the sale, ESPN is now 72% owned by ABC Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Disney, 18% by Hearst, and 10% by the NFL.
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