CBS to Stream Multiple NFL Regular-Season Games for 1st Time: Details, Reaction

The NFL is expanding to the Internet, as CBS will be providing online streaming coverage of multiple games for the first time ever. 

According to the official press release on CBSPressExpress.com, a total of seven games will be available to watch online through computers, tablets, Xbox One, Apple TV and Roku players. 

Date	Matchup
Sunday, Oct.4	New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins (Game Played in London)
Thursday, Nov. 26	Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving Day)
Saturday, Jan, 8 or Sunday, Jan. 9	AFC Wild Card Game
Saturday, Jan.15, and Sunday, Jan. 16	AFC Divisional Playoff(s)
Sunday, Jan. 24	AFC Championship Game
Sunday, Feb. 7	Super Bowl 50

CBS Sports Digital senior vice president and general manager Jeffrey Gerttula is quoted in the press release, noting this is a great day for NFL fans:

"

We’re very excited to offer more NFL ON CBS streaming coverage across more digital platforms than ever before. All NFL fans will have access through their computers, tablets and now Connected TVs to two regular season games for the first time in addition to all of the AFC playoff action, culminating with a truly historic Super Bowl.

"

Being able to get NFL games streaming online for free has been a difficult task, though it's been a calculated decision by the league. When you have television deals with ESPN, NBC, CBS and Fox worth nearly $5 billion per year, you don't mess with a good thing. 

The league is set up to stream games through devices—fans can purchase NFL Sunday Ticket streaming if they live in an area without DirecTV satellite service or where incoming satellite signals are obstructed.

However, being able to stream anything is becoming the new trend. As more households gravitate toward streaming options—Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.—having an online presence in which your product is available becomes more essential than ever.      

The NFL is playing things smartly, allowing CBS to broadcast a couple of regular-season games and then every postseason game carried by the network because everyone in America will be watching football in January.

It's just more convenient for the league to do now that fans can open up a computer to see it.