How can I watch the NFL preseason games on ESPN?
The games will be available on the ESPN App to fans subscribed directly to the ESPN Unlimited plan or through select pay TV providers.
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ESPN Expands NFL Coverage with Preseason Games, and YouTube Adds 'Deestroying' | Bobby Witt Jr.: From Rising Star to MVP Contender | Senators vs Canucks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game | NBA Injury Report and Game Predictions: Warriors vs. Jazz & Nets vs. Grizzlies | Kyle Tucker Returns to Dodgers Camp After Welcoming New Son | Alcaraz and Djokovic Shine at Indian Wells 2026 | Nolan Arenado: Near Miss with Red Sox and Chaotic Debut | World Baseball Classic 2026: Day 6 Highlights | Byron Buxton's World Baseball Classic Journey: Injury Scare and Team USA's Rising Appeal | ESPN Expands NFL Coverage with Preseason Games, and YouTube Adds 'Deestroying' | Bobby Witt Jr.: From Rising Star to MVP Contender | Senators vs Canucks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game | NBA Injury Report and Game Predictions: Warriors vs. Jazz & Nets vs. Grizzlies | Kyle Tucker Returns to Dodgers Camp After Welcoming New Son | Alcaraz and Djokovic Shine at Indian Wells 2026 | Nolan Arenado: Near Miss with Red Sox and Chaotic Debut | World Baseball Classic 2026: Day 6 Highlights | Byron Buxton's World Baseball Classic Journey: Injury Scare and Team USA's Rising Appeal
Sports / NFL
ESPN Expands NFL Coverage with Preseason Games, and YouTube Adds 'Deestroying'
ESPN is ramping up its NFL coverage with expanded streaming options and a notable shift in broadcast strategy. Meanwhile, YouTube is adding a fresh face to its NFL broadcast, aiming to engage a broader audience.
Key Insights
- ESPN will stream five out-of-market NFL preseason games on its new ESPN App for Direct-to-Consumer subscribers, beginning August 23. Why this matters: This provides greater access to NFL content for fans, particularly those out-of-market, enhancing their viewing experience.
- The Week 7 Texans-Seahawks 'Monday Night Football' game moves from ESPN+ to ESPN. Why this matters: This shift reflects ESPN's strategy to prioritize its flagship network for key NFL matchups, increasing viewership and advertising revenue.
- YouTube adds 'Deestroying' (Donald De La Haye), a former UCF and UFL kicker with a large online following, to its broadcast team for the Week 1 NFL game in Brazil. Why this matters: YouTube is tapping into the popularity of content creators to attract a younger and more digitally engaged audience to its NFL broadcasts.
- Phil Simms is returning to NBC Sports as an analyst for three college football games on Peacock. Why this matters: Simms' return brings an experienced voice back to broadcasting, adding credibility and insights to college football coverage.
In-Depth Analysis
ESPN is making strategic moves to bolster its NFL programming. The decision to stream five out-of-market preseason games on the ESPN App, available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers, addresses the growing demand for accessible NFL content. These games, Ravens-Commanders, Colts-Bengals, Texans-Lions, Bills-Buccaneers, and Chargers-49ers, will be simulcasts of local over-the-air coverage, subject to local blackouts.
Shifting the Texans-Seahawks 'Monday Night Football' game from ESPN+ to ESPN signals a shift in focus towards the main network. This move ensures a broader audience can access the game, capitalizing on the established 'Monday Night Football' viewership.
YouTube's inclusion of 'Deestroying' in its broadcast team for the Chiefs-Chargers game in Brazil highlights the increasing convergence of sports and online content creation. De La Haye's significant YouTube following provides a direct line to a demographic that may not traditionally engage with NFL broadcasts. Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Kay Adams, Brandon Marshall, Cam Newton, Tyrann Mathieu and Derek Carr are also part of the broadcast team.
Phil Simms' return to NBC for college football games on Peacock adds a veteran analyst to their roster. Simms, known for his long tenure with CBS, brings a wealth of experience to the network's college football coverage. The three games will be Big Ten matchups. Chase Daniel has also been hired by ESPN as a college football analyst, working alongside Clay Matvick.
FAQ
Will the preseason games be subject to blackouts?
Yes, the preseason games are subject to local and other geographic blackouts.
Who is 'Deestroying,' and what will he be doing for the YouTube NFL broadcast?
'Deestroying' (Donald De La Haye) is a former UCF and UFL kicker and popular content creator. He will serve as a sideline reporter for YouTube's exclusive Week 1 NFL game from Brazil.
Takeaways
- Fans can now access more NFL games through ESPN's streaming service, expanding viewing options. The shift of the Texans-Seahawks game to ESPN ensures wider viewership on the flagship network. YouTube's addition of 'Deestroying' signals a move towards incorporating digital content creators into sports broadcasts to attract younger audiences. Phil Simms returns to NBC, enhancing their college football coverage with his experience.
Discussion
Do you think incorporating content creators like 'Deestroying' will enhance the NFL viewing experience? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
Sources
Disclaimer
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