Streaming the NFL on YouTube is helping the league connect with Gen Z, says platform's CEO
stepped into the NFL arena with its acquisition of Sunday Ticket rights, it didn't just streamline access for fans who had long struggled with DirecTV's exclusivity. It reshaped the landscape of how football is consumed—especially by younger viewers who are more plugged into creator-driven digital platforms than traditional TV broadcasts.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
YouTube CEO says NFL scored big with 'Sunday Ticket' as younger fans flock to the platform
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan revealed in a recent conversation with Ankler Media founder Janice Min that the NFL's partnership with YouTube has already made a tangible impact on the league's demographics. 'We actually aged down the NFL's audience on our platform,' Mohan shared. He emphasized that this strategic move allowed the league's live games to sit 'alongside all of this other amazing creator-first sports content' that draws younger eyes to YouTube every day.
It's no secret that Sunday Ticket is a premium subscription meant for serious fans. However, YouTube's real game-changer lies in its efforts to break the paywall barrier and reach a broader, global audience. A prime example is their upcoming stream of the Week One clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil. The match, scheduled for September 5, will be broadcast for free to YouTube's massive global user base—opening the NFL's doors to millions who may never have tuned in otherwise.
'That sort of was the flywheel that we were betting on, that I was betting on, and that we've seen happen in Sunday Ticket,' Mohan explained. 'It gave me conviction then to sort of double down and do this for live game as well.'
This shift isn't merely a broadcasting strategy—it's a cultural alignment. Young sports fans today don't just watch games; they engage with creators, highlight clips, and commentary in the digital space.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Mohan shared a personal insight: his 17-year-old son, a 'sports nut,' consumes nearly all his sports content through his favorite YouTubers. 'Everything that he watches is through the lens of his favorite YouTubers and sports creators.
And the NFL recognized that,' Mohan said.
By meeting Gen Z and millennial viewers where they are—on YouTube—the NFL is taking its content beyond the traditional sidelines. It's now embedded in the digital conversation, living among reaction videos, highlight reels, and creator fandoms.
And with 2 billion users visiting YouTube daily, the league's first major free international stream may just be the start of something transformative—not just for the NFL, but for the future of live sports consumption across the globe.
Also Read:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Johny Lever Says He Was A 'Drunkard', Would Drink Till 4 AM At Chowpatty: 'Had Crossed My Limits'
Johnny Lever recalled that he would drink every day at Mumbai's Chowpatty Beach, and the police—recognizing him—would allow him to do so safely in their car. Johny Lever has spent over forty years in the industry, and has seen his own fair share of ups and downs. At one point, he was one of the most successful comedians, acting in films and performing on stage. In a recent chat with comedians Sapan Verma, Aakash Gupta, and his daughter Jamie Lever, Johny revealed that he used to be heavily into drinking, staying at Mumbai's Chowpatty drinking until 4 am. During an appearance on Sapan Verma's YouTube show, Johny, joined by his daughter Jamie, reminisced about his demanding schedule and how his overwhelming success negatively impacted his health and lifestyle. He explained that he often felt exhausted, juggling film shoots during the day and stage performances at night, combined with heavy drinking. This routine left him feeling completely drained. Despite his exhaustion, Johny consistently delivered his performances, although he felt completely depleted afterwards. He advised moderation, sharing his own experience of excessive drinking until 4 am at Chowpatty, where even the police, recognizing him, allowed him to drink safely in their car. 'I request people—limit mein piyo (drink in moderation). I had crossed my limits, and it's not worth it. I was a drunkard. I would sit at Chowpatty and drink till 4 in the morning. Many times, the police would come, but when they recognised me, they would laugh and say, 'Arre, Johnny bhai,' and let me sit in their car to continue drinking safely," he said. Discussing the impact of success, Johny noted that his constant presence in movies and international shows led to a loss of self. He ultimately decided to quit drinking and has remained sober for the past 24 years. 'Success can mess with your mind. At one point, no movie was made without me. I was also doing international shows and constantly traveling. I lost myself in all of it," he said. In recent years, Johny Lever has become selective with his roles. This year, he has already appeared in three movies: Badass Ravi Kumar, Be Happy, and Housefull 5, with another film, Welcome To The Jungle, set to release, although the official date is yet to be announced. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
After two decades of ‘Definitely Male', Bajaj Pulsar pivots to Gen Z with ‘Duniya Dekhti Hai, Tu Dikha'
When Bajaj Auto launched the Pulsar in 2001, it changed the two-wheeler game. India's motorcycle market, suddenly had a bike with muscle, attitude, and an unmistakably bold identity. The tagline, Definitely Male , became as synonymous with the Pulsar as its throaty exhaust note and aggressive styling. For nearly 18 years, the slogan went unchanged, surviving shifts in culture and consumer behaviour. It wasn't until 2024 that Bajaj quietly moved to Definitely Daring, a subtle but telling step toward broadening its appeal. Now, in 2025, that evolution has accelerated. On Friday, Bajaj unveiled its new campaign: ' Duniya Dekhti Hai, Tu Dikha '--marking a clear break from its older, testosterone-heavy messaging. The shift is more than a rebranding exercise; it's an attempt to meet Gen Z on their terms, in a world where visibility, self-expression, and digital presence matter more than dominance. Changing the lens, not the DNA 'Today's youth doesn't necessarily want to dominate the road. They want to be noticed, to be seen,' said Sumeet Narang, President of the Probiking Business Unit at Bajaj Auto, during a media briefing. 'Pulsar has always stood for thrill and performance–that hasn't changed. But how young people express themselves has changed significantly.' The new campaign builds on that insight. It celebrates visibility, not just on the road, but online and in everyday culture. Whether it's dance, rap, freestyle, or stunt riding, Pulsar wants to be part of how this generation shows up. To that end, Bajaj has introduced ' Pulsar Underground ,' a digital talent-hunt platform that uses AI to discover emerging artists across creative communities. It's the kind of activation designed to resonate with a generation that lives on Instagram Reels, not just racetracks. A response to culture, not a correction It would be easy to assume that Pulsar's rebranding was triggered by backlash to its once macho image. But Narang was quick to clarify, 'There was no outrage from the women lobby as such. Even during the 'Definitely Male' days, we had a significant number of women riders who connected with the brand for its performance and character.' In other words, the change wasn't forced–it was a choice. The brand is evolving not to make amends, but to stay relevant in a fast-changing landscape. Yet, the optics are hard to ignore: a shift from gendered messaging to inclusive language says something about how even legacy brands are rethinking their tone. Will Gen Z ride along? Pulsar remains one of the most recognisable names in India's two-wheeler market. But in recent years, newer competitors and shifting consumer preferences, like design-led bikes, international brands, and smart-connectivity have started to chip away at its once-untouchable dominance. The move to ' Duniya Dekhti Hai , Tu Dikha,' which loosely translates to: The world watches. You, be seen–feels timely, but also challenging. Visibility is easy to claim in an ad; harder to sustain in a cluttered market where every brand wants to speak Gen Z's language. The good news? Pulsar isn't trying to be something it's not. It's still a performance bike. What's different is how it talks about performance, not just as raw power, but as a means of self-expression. The partnership with long-time creative agency Ogilvy, which has worked on the brand since its launch in 2001, gives this shift a certain continuity, even as the message changes. From 'Male' to 'Daring' to 'Dikha' In many ways, Pulsar's new direction reflects a broader shift. From identity to individuality, from assertion to expression. Whether this new message connects with the next generation of riders remains to be seen. But for a brand that once told the world who its riders were, Pulsar now seems ready to let them tell their own stories. And in today's world, that might just be the more powerful move.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Yuzvendra Chahal reveals moment when he saw Virat Kohli 'crying in the bathroom'
India lost to New Zealand in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup. Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal appeared on a YouTube podcast with Raj Shamani where he discussed various aspects of his life, including his recent divorce, experiences under different captains, and emotional moments from India's 2019 World Cup campaign. During the interview, Chahal shared insights about playing under Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma 's leadership, while also addressing allegations surrounding his divorce from Dhanashree. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Chahal offered his perspective on the captaincy styles of both Rohit and Kohli, highlighting their unique leadership qualities. "I love how Rohit bhaiya carries himself on the ground. He's a very good captain. With Virat bhaiya, it's the energy he brings, the same energy every day. It will only go up and never down. Same energy. Every day," Chahal stated. The spinner revealed a particularly emotional moment involving Virat Kohli during India's exit from the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. "2019 World Cup, I saw him crying in the bathroom," Chahal disclosed. He further elaborated on the team's emotional state following the defeat: "And then I was the last batter, when I was crossing him, he had tears in his eyes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo In 2019, I saw everyone crying in the bathroom." During the interview, Chahal addressed the personal challenges he faced during his divorce from Dhanashree. He mentioned that discussions about their separation had been ongoing for some time before it became public knowledge. The cricketer also confronted accusations of infidelity that emerged during his divorce. "I think when my divorce happened, people alleged me of being a cheater. I have never cheated in my life. I am not that kind of a person. You won't find anyone more loyal than me. I think from my heart for my closed ones, always. I do not demand, I always give. When people don't know anything, but they keep blaming me, so you start thinking [otherwise]," Chahal stated. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
