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NFL Discusses Streaming Strategy with FCC Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
The NFL met with FCC officials in Washington, DC, on Friday to discuss its transition to streaming services. League executive Hans Schroeder argued against individual team media rights deals, citing increased confusion and costs for viewers. The meeting occurs amid FCC inquiries and a separate Department of Justice antitrust investigation into the NFL.
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The NFL met with FCC officials in Washington, DC, on Friday to discuss the league's shift to streaming, according to an FCC filing. The league requested the meeting, where its top media executive, Hans Schroeder, attended and argued that allowing the NFL’s 32 teams to negotiate their own media rights deals would worsen confusion and costs for viewers.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr greeted the NFL executives at the start of the meeting before turning it over to his top advisers.
During the meeting, the NFL defended its shift to streaming, with Schroeder presenting that pro football remains the most fan-friendly sport for viewers despite the changes. His presentation noted that 87% of NFL games are primarily distributed on broadcast TV through CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC.
Streaming-exclusive NFL games are available in the local markets of the two teams playing, according to the league.
Schroeder told the Wall Street Journal, 'Facts are stubborn things. 99 a month for Amazon Prime to watch Thursday Night Football. 99 for a basic Netflix plan to watch the double-header games on Christmas Day.
In February, the Federal Communications Commission asked the public for comment on how the shift from traditional broadcasts to streamers has impacted sports fans. The FCC claimed viewers pay as much as $1,500 a year to watch every pro football game across several streamers.
The NFL has media rights agreements with streamers owned by Disney, Paramount, Fox Corporation, NBCUniversal, NFL Network, Amazon, Google, and Netflix.
