YouTube balks at splitting NFL package with Netflix, broadcast TV back in mix, per Ourand

Key Points:

• Netflix is set to acquire three NFL game windows, including the Week 1 International Series game from Australia, a rumored Thanksgiving Eve game, and a newly reported Saturday game leading into the ESPN/ABC Week 18 doubleheader, expanding its NFL inventory to five games.
• YouTube, initially interested in the five-game package, has backed out of splitting the rights with Netflix and is no longer positioned to acquire any games; the two games originally intended for YouTube are now being offered to broadcast network partners.
• The NFL initially presented bidders with 12 game windows, from which five were to be chosen for this package, with the remaining seven forming NFL Network’s inventory; some of the leftover windows, including potential Christmas Eve and second Black Friday games, are now likely being shopped to broadcast networks.
• The move to offer additional games to broadcast networks may lead to a slight increase in over-the-air NFL games this season, potentially easing criticism over streaming-exclusive games and addressing concerns amid a federal investigation into the league’s streaming rights deals.
• Fox is a leading candidate among broadcast networks to acquire some of these games, having already been awarded one of the Christmas games for the upcoming season, marking a return of NFL Christmas Day games to broadcast television after three years.