Streaming giant Netflix is partnering with CBS Sports to produce its two Christmas Day football games — the streamer’s first NFL excursion in its three-year deal. The one-year CBS agreement is for production services only, and does not cover on-air talent. Netflix is still exploring its talent options. CBS Sports announcers Tony Romo and Jim Nantz are reportedly under consideration, although Netflix is said to also be pondering a move that would allow it to create an on-camera team that would allow it to put its own stamp on the talent and the games. Paramount Global’s CBS will receive a production fee and promotional spots in the streamed games. Continue reading CBS Sports to Produce Two Christmas NFL Games for Netflix

Verizon’s $4.5 billion acquisition of Yahoo’s Internet business is likely to close in mid-June, at which point the combination of Yahoo and AOL (with its 1.3 billion users) could serve as the “platform … to test out an over-the-top service,” according to Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam. The OTT offering “would be in addition to the telco’s go90 ad-supported mobile video service,” reports Variety. “Verizon has reportedly been mulling an Internet-delivered skinny bundle offering, akin to AT&T’s DirecTV Now and Dish Network’s Sling TV.” Continue reading Verizon May Use Yahoo-AOL to Test New OTT Video Service