NBC to Stream Super Bowl XLIX on iPad and Mac for Free, No Cable Subscription Required - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

NBC to Stream Super Bowl XLIX on iPad and Mac for Free, No Cable Subscription Required

NBCUniversal today announced that it's debuting a new "Super Stream Sunday" promotion, which will allow all U.S.-based users to watch 11 continuous hours of NBC content through the NBCSports.com website and through the NBC Sports Live Extra app on the iPad/iPod touch without the need for a cable subscription.

Super Stream Sunday, which starts on February 1 at noon Eastern Time, will include Super Bowl XLIX, the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show with Katy Perry, and the Super Bowl XLIX pre- and post-game shows. It will also feature an episode of The Blacklist.

superbowlxlix
Accessing NBC content through NBC.com or within the NBC Sports Live Extra app typically requires a cable subscription and authentication through logging into the service, but for the Super Stream Sunday period, no logins will be required, allowing everyone to watch the Super Bowl for free. NBC is running the promotion in an effort to make people aware of its TV Everywhere offerings, which offer television content on a range of devices with a cable subscription.

While iPad and iPod touch users can watch the Super Bowl using the NBC Sports Live Extra app, NBC is not able to stream content to the iPhone as it does not have NFL live-streaming rights for smartphones due to an exclusive deal the NFL has with Verizon Wireless.

Verizon Wireless and the NFL plan to introduce a Super Bowl Stadium app that will offer "exclusive in-stadium video content" that includes commercials and replays shown from four camera angles. Users not in the United States or Mexico can access the Super Bowl through the NFL's Game Rewind service.

NBC Sports Live Extra can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
imac video apple feature

Apple Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever This Year

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:03 pm PDT by
Apple this year acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019. Q.ai...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Twelve Changes Coming to Apple's Next Flagship

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...

Top Rated Comments

sualpine Avatar
151 months ago
All advertising is ultimately paid for by all consumers through increased product costs, thereby everyone ultimately getting socked for it. Every purchase you make for an advertised product contains an upcharge to cover the ads.


Does a solution exist in which you wouldn't complain?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thogin Avatar
151 months ago
I'll be watching the SuperBowl the good ol' fashioned way: OTA in HD on my TV. Totally free, with no network buffer timeouts.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
happydude Avatar
151 months ago
wish it were avail as an Apple TV option as well. good move for them promotion wise, hope their streaming services can handle the extra load...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
I gotta see this, just for the commercials filmed from FOUR different camera angles!

/englishkindasux
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
All advertising is ultimately paid for by all consumers through increased product costs, thereby everyone ultimately getting socked for it. Every purchase you make for an advertised product contains an upcharge to cover the ads.

You must be awesome to hang out with.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
airplay

wish it were avail as an Apple TV option as well. good move for them promotion wise, hope their streaming services can handle the extra load...

Airplay works on the NBC sports app so you will be able to push it to your Apple TV
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors