The San Francisco 49ers today announced that the team will provide free live streaming of each of its four games during the 2018 preseason at 49ers.com, becoming the first NFL team to activate its streaming rights with their local broadcast partner via the primary club website. As the official preseason broadcast partner of the 49ers and local CBS affiliate, KPIX 5 will air all four preseason games locally while their production will also now be available via 49ers.com and the 49ers Mobile App throughout the Bay Area.
"The 49ers are fortunate to play in one of the most connected markets in the world where our fans expect seamless engagement with team content," said 49ers President Al Guido. "Through our partnership with KPIX, the fan-first mentality of the NFL and the talented in-house agency of 49ers Studios, we are proud to further strengthen our community connection by delivering dynamic game, team and partner content to our fans in ways that evolve alongside their viewing habits."
Earlier this month, the NFL sent a memo to all member clubs outlining guidelines for working with their local broadcast partners to expand digital distribution of preseason game broadcasts and meet the demands of emerging platforms and shifting consumption patterns. In issuing the new guidelines, the NFL is responding to the continuing developments in the media landscape that have led more fans to engage around its product on digital platforms. To meet market demand, the NFL built the infrastructure for any team that chooses to take advantage of the streaming opportunity.
The 49ers preseason telecasts on KPIX 5, a relationship dating back four decades, will once again feature the team's regular season radio broadcast duo of Ted Robinson on the play-by-play and Tim Ryan providing the color commentary. KPIX 5 sports director Dennis O'Donnell returns as the sideline reporter.
As the preseason broadcast partner of the 49ers, KPIX 5 will air all four 49ers preseason games in 2018, beginning on Thursday, August 9th vs. the Dallas Cowboys and concluding on Thursday, August 30th against the Los Angeles Chargers—both at 7:00 p.m. PST at Levi's® Stadium. In between, the 49ers will travel to Houston to face the Texans on Saturday, August 18th (5:00 p.m.) and Indianapolis to play the Colts on Saturday, August 25th (1:30p.m.).
Streaming via 49ers.com and the 49ers Mobile App will only be available for viewers located in the team's primary and secondary viewing markets. For more information, visit 49ers.com.
