YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform, recently made headlines when it announced that it had acquired the rights to stream NFL Sunday Ticket (WSJ reported YouTube is paying $2 billion per season in a multiyear agreement), a package of live and on-demand NFL games. This move surprised many, as YouTube is primarily known for hosting user-generated content, rather than live sports events. So, it’s natural to wonder: why did YouTube spend the money on NFL Sunday Ticket?

There are a few reasons that YouTube may have made this decision. One reason could be to increase its appeal to sports fans. NFL Sunday Ticket is a highly coveted package, as it allows viewers to watch every out-of-market NFL game on Sundays. By streaming these games, YouTube could attract a new audience of sports fans to its platform.

Another reason could be to compete with other streaming platforms that already offer live sports. YouTube is not the only streaming service that has begun to offer live sports events in recent years. Services like Hulu, Sling TV, and fuboTV have all added live sports to their offerings, and YouTube may have wanted to keep up with the competition.

Additionally, YouTube may have seen the acquisition of NFL Sunday Ticket as a way to differentiate itself from other streaming platforms. While many streaming services offer similar content, YouTube can now provide a unique feature that sets it apart from the competition.

Finally, YouTube may have seen the acquisition of NFL Sunday Ticket as an opportunity to generate new revenue. Live sports events are often highly watched and can generate a significant amount of ad revenue for the platform that streams them. By streaming NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube may be able to monetize its content in a way that it has not been able to before.

It seems that YouTube’s acquisition of NFL Sunday Ticket was motivated by a combination of factors, including the desire to appeal to sports fans, compete with other streaming platforms, differentiate itself from the competition, and generate new revenue. Whether this move will pay off for YouTube remains to be seen, but it is clear that the company is taking steps to expand its offerings and attract new viewers.