NFL games on Twitter: Social media site to stream American football games live and for free across the world

It still isn't clear exactly how the global arrangement will work, after Twitter beat other tech companies to secure the mysterious rights

U.S. sailors watch NFL's Super Bowl XLV football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in an undisclosed location February 6, 2011 (REUTERS/U.S. Navy Visual News Service/Handout)

American football games are going to be streamed live on Twitter after a new deal.

The social media site will be showing 10 Thursday night games live and for free, in a deal that will allow anyone using the site across the world to watch. It still isn't clear how exactly the games will be shown within the Twitter site and apps, but the NFL said that it was part of its plan for "Tri-Cast" viewing – bringing in digital viewers as well as cable and normal broadcasts.

Twitter had been bidding against other tech companies including Yahoo – which was the first company to show a free game last season – and Amazon for the rights to stream the games. Facebook was also part of the competition to win the rights, but dropped out last week.

The deal will presumably allow people to embed live games into their tweets, but it isn't clear where exactly those videos will sit on the site.

The NFL said that the deal would allow people to talk about games on the site and watch them at the same time.

“Twitter is where live events unfold and is the right partner for the NFL as we take the latest step in serving fans around the world live NFL football”, said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “There is a massive amount of NFL-related conversation happening on Twitter during our games and tapping into that audience, in addition to our viewers on broadcast and cable, will ensure Thursday Night Football is seen on an unprecedented number of platforms this season. This agreement also provides additional reach for those brands advertising with our broadcast partners.”

The NFL does already show games through its own app.