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The Federal Communications Commission has launched a public inquiry into the accelerating migration of live sports from traditional broadcast television to streaming platforms, a shift that has fragmented viewing options and potentially increased costs for sports fans nationwide.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the request for comment on Wednesday, establishing a public feedback period that runs through March 27, with reply comments accepted until April 13.
“For decades, Americans enjoyed turning on their TV and quickly finding the game they wanted to see. Yet watching your favorite team play isn’t as easy these days,” Carr stated. “Many games are still on broadcast, but an increasing number are on a range of different online platforms.”
The inquiry comes amid growing concerns about accessibility and affordability of sports content. According to the FCC’s public notice, NFL games alone aired across “10 different services, which, according to some estimates, could cost a consumer over $1,500 to watch all games.” The NFL’s distribution network last season included CBS, NBC, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube TV.
The NFL disputed the cost estimate in a statement to the Associated Press, noting that Forbes had calculated the expense at approximately $765 for complete coverage. The league defended its distribution model as “the most accessible, fan-friendly distribution model across all of sports and entertainment, with over 87% of our games shown on free broadcast television.”
This FCC examination follows congressional scrutiny last year, when the House Judiciary Committee requested briefings from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB regarding antitrust exemptions for coordinated broadcast rights. The Sports Broadcasting Act exemption, passed in 1961, applies exclusively to broadcast television and not to cable, satellite, or streaming platforms, according to court interpretations.
All four major North American professional sports leagues now maintain streaming distribution deals. The NBA recently began its 11-year agreement featuring Monday night games on Peacock and additional content on Amazon Prime Video. MLB has struck three-year arrangements with Netflix and Peacock commencing this season. The NHL continues its seven-year rights deal that places select games on ESPN+ and Hulu.
The FCC’s public inquiry aims to gather information on several fronts, including how recent marketplace developments have affected broadcasters’ ability to obtain sports programming rights, how changes have impacted viewers’ access to national and local sports content, and the cost implications for consumers.
The commission’s concerns about local sports accessibility have been heightened by the financial troubles plaguing regional sports networks. Diamond Sports Group, once the largest owner of regional sports networks operating under the Bally Sports banner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023. The company emerged from bankruptcy last year as Main Street Sports Group, rebranding as FanDuel Sports Network.
However, Main Street Sports Group now faces imminent financial collapse. MLB has already assumed production and distribution responsibilities for half of its teams after Main Street failed to make scheduled rights payments to seven franchises. While Main Street currently maintains 15 networks with rights to 20 professional teams (13 NBA and seven NHL), industry analysts expect the company to cease operations after the current regular seasons conclude.
The deterioration of regional sports networks has created significant uncertainty about how fans will access local games in the future, potentially accelerating the shift toward streaming options that require multiple subscriptions.
The FCC’s investigation represents an important step in understanding how the fragmentation of sports media rights affects consumers, broadcasters, and the sports industry overall. The public comment period offers stakeholders an opportunity to influence potential regulatory approaches to ensure sports content remains reasonably accessible to American viewers.
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8 Comments
The cost estimates of over $1,500 to watch all NFL games are staggering. The FCC needs to carefully consider the impact on lower-income households and ensure live sports remain affordable for the average fan, not just the wealthy.
This shift to streaming is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers more viewing options, but on the other, it risks pricing out casual fans who can’t afford a patchwork of subscriptions. The FCC’s inquiry is timely and I look forward to seeing the public’s input.
This is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. I’m hopeful the FCC can find a way to balance the needs of leagues, networks, and most importantly, the fans who are the lifeblood of these sports.
While I understand the business rationale behind moving sports to streaming, the potential impact on fans is concerning. The FCC needs to ensure that this transition doesn’t price out a significant portion of the viewing audience.
Interesting to see the FCC looking into the shift of live sports to streaming platforms. This could have major implications for accessibility and affordability for fans. I’m curious to hear what the public comments will reveal about the pros and cons of this trend.
The fragmentation of sports viewing options is concerning. With games spread across so many different streaming services, it’s becoming increasingly expensive for fans to watch their favorite teams. The FCC’s inquiry could shed light on potential solutions to keep sports accessible.
Watching live sports used to be so simple, but now it’s a complex web of different streaming platforms and subscriptions. I hope the FCC can find a way to strike a balance between the business interests of leagues/networks and the needs of everyday fans.
It’s good to see the FCC taking proactive steps to understand the implications of this shift. Maintaining a healthy sports viewing ecosystem that serves the public interest should be their top priority in this inquiry.