The NFL announced that "NFL+" launched on Monday.

League owners were briefed about it during meetings in May, while Brian Rolapp, the NFL's chief media and business officer, confirmed in a column for "Sports Illustrated" last week that it would be starting this season.

The launch of "NFL+" comes as 15 games on Thursday night will be carried exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The "Sunday Ticket" package of out-of-market Sunday games currently will expire at the end of this season.

Amazon, Apple and Google have emerged as the frontrunners to take over the rights that DirecTV has held since 1994.