Twitter’s new NFL deal means an Apple TV partnership makes sense
Twitter’s activity in 2016 has been one of sporting endeavour, but its biggest bet yet may be on Apple TV, according to reports in the US.
Twitter is in talks with Apple to get its app, and its live-streaming business model, onto Apple TV, according to the The New York Times.
With the social media giant signing up for sporting deals on both sides of the Atlantic in recent months, it appears Twitter is now intent on broadening the reach of its growing armoury.
Having spent $10m on a deal to stream 10 NFL games this season – which follows similar deals in Europe to stream both the Europa League and Champions League finals – Twitter’s eyeing up more screen time.
So it’s perhaps unsurprising that it wants in on Apple’s smart TV audience.
“Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s chief executive, considers streaming a critical component of the company’s focus on ‘live’ experiences, along with Periscope, its app that allows smartphone users to live-stream video,” according to the The New York Times.
“To bolster the effort, Twitter is in talks with Apple to bring the Twitter app to Apple TV, which would potentially let millions of Apple TV users watch the streaming NFL games, according to the two people briefed on the discussions.”
Over the summer, Twitter announced plans to provide relatively recent replays of Premier League goals via the Sky Sports Twitter handle.
Sky Sports also announced that it will offer an expanded service for customers who also use the Sky Sports Football Centre app, with additional clips and full highlights available on mobile.
Main NFL image via Action Sports Photography/Shutterstock
