Overview
- CBS is in talks to raise its Sunday package fee from about $2.1 billion to more than $3 billion annually, with the higher rate starting next season and the NFL waiving its 2029–30 opt-out, according to CNBC.
- League officials began with CBS because the Skydance-Paramount transaction allows the NFL to exit the deal by 2027, giving the network incentive to secure terms through 2033–34.
- The NFL plans to negotiate renewals one-by-one and aims to have agreements in place before September, with Fox likely next, though Fox says it has not yet had material talks.
- Industry reporting indicates legacy broadcasters could pay more while ceding some games to streamers in five-game packages, a shift that would reallocate a portion of linear inventory.
- Former linebacker Shawne Merriman is urging increased player compensation if media revenues climb or an 18th game is added, as consumer costs already climbed to at least about $575 to watch all 2025 action and the FCC is reviewing sports’ migration to streaming.