NFL+, the NFL’s recently debuted direct-to-consumer app, is the latest service to join +play, Verizon’s forthcoming streaming aggregation platform.
Verizon announced plans to launch +play back in March, touting a one-stop shop for users to find and manage their streaming video subscriptions. The carrier began conducting trials for +play at the end of March and is expected to commercially release the platform by year-end.
NFL+ touts access to live local and primetime regular season and post-season games on smartphones and tablets, along with on-demand content.
“Verizon and the NFL have been partners for more than 10 years, and we’re thrilled to bring NFL+ to the +play platform for sports fans to enjoy,” said Erin McPherson, Verizon’s chief content officer, in a statement.
She added Verizon is solving for “millions of customers’ pain points by providing them with an innovative tool to manage multiple subscriptions all in one place.”
The companies last year struck a 10-year deal, which named Verizon as the league’s official 5G network provider.
In addition to NFL+, streamers like Netflix, A+E Networks, HBO Max and TelevisaUnivision’s Vix+ have signed onto +play as partners.
+play users will also be able to subscribe to streaming services that currently have promotional agreements with Verizon, including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and others.
These promotions are a way for Verizon to enhance its wireless offering. The carrier last week unveiled a $30 discount off an annual subscription for NFL+ Premium – normally worth $79.99 per year. The offer is open to all Verizon Wireless customers and runs through October 31.
Aside from NFL+, Verizon recently extended its relationship with Disney+ to offer six months free of Disney+ to prepaid customers who upgrade to an unlimited wireless plan.
With +play, Verizon can make it easier for customers to manage their subscription bills, as Recon Analytics principal analyst Roger Entner noted in a March Fierce Wireless column.
“Verizon represents an addressable market of over 140 million customers, many of whom already choose to engage digitally,” Entner wrote. “Verizon would manage the billing side and customer selection part of the relationship. +play would be separately billed from the other Verizon core services such as wireless, FiOS or other telecommunications services.”
Aggregation is a hot topic in the streaming world. Most consumers agree that accessing streaming services from one place improves the viewer experience, according to Hub Entertainment Research.
Plex is another company that has aimed to address the “streaming struggle.” It launched in April a one-stop navigation window enabling users to locate content across all their paid and free streaming services.