Major broadcast owners urged U.S. regulators Monday to address growing Big Tech purchases of broadcast sports rights, warning that the trend could weaken local TV news by shifting marquee live events off free, over‑the‑air television.
Executives say tech platforms acquiring rights to the World Series, NFL Thanksgiving games or the Olympics — often as loss leaders to support ad and data businesses — could erode local broadcasters’ audiences and ad revenue that fund local newsrooms.
Industry context: Netflix is negotiating to expand its NFL package from two games to four, reportedly targeting the new Thanksgiving Eve game and an international season‑opening game; it is in the final year of a three‑year Christmas Day deal that paid roughly $75 million per game. Netflix has also added boxing, WWE content and, this week, carried its first Major League Baseball game under a separate $50 million‑a‑year agreement covering the Home Run Derby and “Field of Dreams” game.
Other tech and streaming suitors are active: Google’s YouTube, which streamed an international game last season and holds Sunday Ticket rights, has shown interest in additional games; Amazon (Thursday Night Football) and some broadcast partners are also open to expanding sports portfolios.
Broadcasters warn that further fragmentation of live sports across subscription and streaming platforms could reduce local stations’ reach and revenue, pressuring newsroom budgets. The NFL’s current broadcast agreements with CBS, NBC and Fox include an opt‑out window after the 2029–30 season, and the league is receptive to renegotiating or opening inventory to new bidders amid competition and rising rights values.