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Sports Broadcasts Shift: FCC Seeks Input
26 Feb
Summary
- FCC is requesting public comments on sports moving from broadcast to streaming.
- The comment period extends through March 27, with replies due April 13.
- Consumers may pay over $1,500 to watch all NFL games via multiple services.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is actively soliciting public feedback regarding the ongoing transition of live sports programming from broadcast television to digital streaming platforms. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr initiated this request for comments on Wednesday, setting the deadline for public submissions on March 27, with responses due by April 13.
Carr highlighted that while many games remain on broadcast channels, an increasing number are exclusively available on diverse online services. The FCC aims to thoroughly examine the current sports media marketplace, understand consumer experiences, and assess the impact of these changes on broadcast TV stations' capacity to deliver local news and information.
This inquiry follows a similar move last year by the House Judiciary Committee, which questioned the antitrust exemptions for sports leagues concerning broadcast rights. The 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, which covers broadcast television, does not extend to cable, satellite, or streaming services. Despite the NFL ending local TV blackouts in 2015, the public notice indicated that NFL games were aired across ten different services last season, potentially costing consumers over $1,500.
Major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, have established deals with streaming platforms. The NBA has games on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video, MLB has deals with Netflix and Peacock, and the NHL features games on ESPN+ and Hulu. These shifts are compounded by the financial instability of regional sports networks, such as Diamond Sports Group (formerly Bally Sports), which has undergone bankruptcy and rebranding, impacting the distribution of 42 professional teams' games.
The FCC's inquiry includes specific questions about how market changes affect broadcasters' ability to secure sports rights, viewers' access to live sports on broadcast TV, the prevalence and terms of local sports media rights deals, and the overall impact on consumer costs.
