The BBC has scored the rights to a number of key NFL games including the Super Bowl.
The broadcaster has agreed a two-year deal that will include live coverage of three league matches that will be held at Wembley stadium and the showpiece final event in February.
It is believed that the BBC saw off competition from rivals including BT to the rights.
The BBC is currently holding a tender process to select its production partner and it is understood that it will be produced by a third-party indie.
BBC2 will air the Wembley clash between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins on 4 October and Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills on 25 October, while the Detroit Lions against the Kansas City Chiefs on 1 November will be available on the red button and BBC Sport website with highlights on BBC2. All three games kick-off at 2pm.
The deal also includes a weekly highlights package – The Road To The Super Bowl – that will air on BBC2 from the end of November to the end of the season.
The BBC’s deal runs concurrently with Sky Sports’ NFL coverage. The pay-TV broadcaster agreed a deal with the American football association to cover the big Sunday night game after Channel 4 failed to agree a new deal in July.
Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: “NFL has a growing fan base in the UK and I’m delighted that the BBC can bring it free-to-air for our audience.”
No mention of how much they paid?
