Twitter is reported to be bringing live streaming services to Apple TV. Reported by The New York Times, after winning live streaming rights to cover NFL Football League, Twitter is currently in negotiations with Apple to release a Twitter app which will let users watch N.F.L. games live on Apple TV. Besides composing and sharing tweets, images, videos and GIFs on the popular social site, users will be able to live stream N.F.L. this year.
On Thursday, 15th September 2016, Twitter will inaugurate its live streaming service with the game between New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. It is also reported that Twitter is working on making live streaming content available in user’s timeline or in Moments, a special highlights section accessible on desktop and Twitter’s apps.
Anthony Noto, Twitter’s CFO and former banker, is leading a team of engineers to create their streaming video player. CEO Jack Dorsey plans to make the live streaming services available on company’s social platforms like Twitter and Periscope, on iOS and Android devices.
N.F.L. is one of the major sporting events in the United States, which is watched by millions of spectators. By providing live streaming of the games on Apple TV device, Twitter is not only attracting millions of users, it is also expanding its profile. Part of this expansion surfaced during the coverage of Rio 2016, where special features were rolled out across all mediums of the company (Twitter, Periscope and Moments) to support or follow teams and players, and share or enjoy moments starting from Torch bearing to the end of the event.
Twitter is heavily used by sports fans so it is a good start for Twitter to live stream N.F.L. but whether this will convert into a profitable business and allow the company to expand to covering more sporting events is yet to be seen.
