For those who love watching football but hate paying for cable, CBS has a big announcement. 

The broadcast company released a statement saying it will stream the 2016 Super Bowl and a few other games for free online.

CBS Sports Digital General Manager Jeffrey Gerttula said the company is "excited to offer more NFL ON CBS streaming coverage across more digital platforms than ever before. All NFL fans will have access through their computers, tablets and now Connected TVs."

Most other sports leagues have already started offered streaming services for their post-season match-ups. So, why is this such a big deal?

If you tried to go online to watch the World Series, NBA Finals, or Stanley Cup Finals recently, you probably saw something like this requesting proof that you have some sort of TV subscription. 

But next year's Super Bowl will have no such restrictions.

CBS made two regular season games, four playoff games and Super Bowl 50 available to anyone with an Internet connection in what might be a move to appeal to the growing number of cord cutters.

Quartz reported traditional cable outlets lost almost half a million subscribers in last year's third quarter alone. And those are eyes CBS certainly doesn't want to lose for the big game.

Between contracts with CBS, NBC, ESPN and Fox, the NFL rakes in between five and six billion dollars per year for the rights to broadcast the games. 

The networks recoup that money by selling ad space during games, which becomes significantly less valuable if no one's watching.

Last year, a record 114 million people saw the Patriots take home the title. 

Meanwhile, advertisers shelled out about $4.5 million to air a 30-second spot. And now that anyone with an Internet connected device can watch it, that number should only go up. (Video via WEBN)

CBS, NBC and Fox all take turns airing the Super Bowl, so it should be interesting to see if the other networks follow suit.

This video includes images from Getty Images.