Overview
- The FCC’s Media Bureau is seeking input on the migration of games to subscription platforms and its effects on viewers and local stations.
- Regulators cited 2025 NFL distribution across 10 services with estimates topping $1,500 to watch every game, including exclusive streams of 20 regular‑season games and one playoff game.
- The notice asks whether current media‑rights deals hinder broadcasters’ public‑interest duties and what steps the FCC could take to ensure compliance.
- The inquiry references the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and court rulings that limit its antitrust exemption to broadcast television rather than cable, satellite or streaming.
- Comments are due March 27 with replies by April 13; the NFL responded that over 87% of its games still air on free broadcast TV and called its model highly accessible.