• by Wayne Friedman , August 23, 2022

Amazon Prime Video has inked a deal to have its NFL “Thursday Night Football” package carried on DirecTV business-focused pay TV system -- bringing 300,000 sports bars, restaurants, hotel lounges, casinos and sportsbooks, retail shops and services.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The first “TNF” game through DirecTV system is the final NFL preseason matchup on Thursday, August 25 between the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans. The “TNF” Prime Video content can be accessed on DirecTV channel 9526.

The multiyear deal includes the entire 15-game regular-season “Thursday Night Football” games, starting Thursday, September 15 when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the defending AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs.

DirecTV is concluding an eight-year-long package for the “NFL Sunday Ticket” for out-of-market games after this season -- a deal priced at over $1 billion a year.

Analysts estimate this package could double to at least $2 billion a year. Walt Disney, Apple and Amazon have all submitted bids for the package. DirecTV has not.

Amazon won the right to air 15-exclusive “Thursday Night Football” games in March 2021 for its Prime Video service under a multiyear $1 billion deal.

“TNF” adds to Prime Video which includes other live global sports -- the WNBA, the Seattle Storm, the New York Yankees; Premier League in the U.K; U.S. Open Tennis, and other events.