National Football League (NFL)
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football association based in New York City. The NFL comprises 32 clubs divided among two conferences, which itself is split among eight divisions.
Telecast rights to NFL games are held by the Walt Disney Company (ESPN, ABC), Comcast Corporation (NBC), Paramount Global (CBS), Fox Corporation and Amazon’s Prime Video. National radio broadcasts are offered by Cumulus Radio’s Westwood One.
The NFL also distributes games through its own standalone streaming app called NFL Plus, with out-of-market games aired on CBS and Fox affiliates available through YouTube’s NFL Sunday Ticket package.
Network affiliates to FCC: Sports antitrust exemption should apply to broadcast TV only
Affiliates argue that streaming platforms' exclusive sports rights deals force fans to pay for games previously available free on broadcast TV and reduce networks' investment in local news.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Justice Department probes NFL deals with streaming services
The DOJ has opened an antitrust investigation into the NFL’s media rights deals with broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Bars, restaurants may lose access to NFL Sunday Ticket
The change follows the end of a temporary deal allowing DIRECTV to offer the package to business customers.
Hub: Sports fans still frustrated by broadcast, streaming TV deals
Fragmented media rights deals force viewers to navigate multiple apps and subscriptions to follow a single sport or team.
FCC seeks public comment on TV sports rights deals
The FCC is probing whether sports rights deals with streaming services are chipping away at the ability to watch premium events on free broadcast TV.
FIRST ON THE DESK
Congressman issues baseless threat against NBC over Bad Bunny halftime show
The lawmaker, Rep. Randy Fine of Florida, is urging the FCC to issue fines against NBC, the NFL and Bad Bunny over the halftime performance.
FIRST ON THE DESK
ESPN closes NFL Media deal following DOJ approval
It is unclear what, if any, concessions ESPN and the NFL made to the Trump administration to seal the deal.
NBC: Super Bowl LX, Winter Olympic Games will stream in 4K
Comcast's NBC Universal says it will offer its presentation of Super Bowl LX and the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in ultra high-definition.
Ampere: Netflix investment in premium sports paying off
Live events generated 60 percent of major streaming acquisition spikes, led overwhelmingly by sports.
DATA
Nielsen: Streaming chips away at broadcast lead during Christmas month
Streaming platforms continued to chip away at broadcast and cable television's lead in terms of time spent with TV platforms during December.
THE GAUGE
Netflix: Christmas Day NFL game is most-streamed in U.S.
The match-up averaged 27.5 million viewers and peaked at 30 million, according to Nielsen data cited by Netflix.
RATINGS
Nielsen: TV usage skyrockets in November, YouTube share flat
Americans watched more than 100 billion minutes of TV in November, driven by Thanksgiving NFL games and strong broadcast viewership.
THE GAUGE