Amazon eyes a sports package to really challenge TV

Sports have long been seen as the next frontier for streaming video-on-demand sites.

They have oodles of original programming, and they attract audiences that, research suggests, are comparable to TV networks throughout the day.

But to be truly competitive, sites such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu would need to add a sports component, since Americans are bonkers about sports.

Now it appears Amazon is poised to do so.

Reports out Tuesday say the service has been in discussions with the major sports leagues, including the NBA and NFL, about possible rights deals.

The site is floating the idea of a premium sports package, available as an add-on to its existing Amazon Prime service, that would make content from multiple leagues available.

The significance of live sports

That would be a big step for the service, which right now does not have any live programming.

It would also represent a big blow to traditional networks, which see sports as their one remaining area of dominance.

Amazon has not commented on the rumored sports package, first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Twitter earlier this year got into the live sports business, launching a “Thursday Night Football” feed. Yahoo has also aired a slew of live sporting events, from football to hockey.

Tags: amazon, digital, sports, sports on amazon, sports tv, svod