Justice Department Probes NFL’s Streaming Contracts Amid Antitrust Concerns
The Justice Department has launched an investigation into the NFL’s exclusive streaming agreements after receiving feedback from fans about the complicated nature of paid access. Brendan Kerr, the Chairman of the FCC, has raised questions regarding whether the league should retain its special antitrust exemptions that date back to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. Contributor Jonathan Turley has urged Congress to look into the NFL’s monopoly, particularly noting the league’s impressive $25 billion in yearly revenue and the climbing costs for fans.
In related developments, Netflix has been dabbling in live sports, showcasing events like WWE and Formula 1, along with select MLB and NFL games. Even though this initiative faces some backlash, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos clarified that their approach isn’t about acquiring full-season rights to sports leagues. He stated, “We’re not bidding for an entire sports season, including the NFL,” during a recent appearance on Fox Business Network.
So far, Sarandos’ remarks seem to align with Netflix’s focus on high-profile events rather than complete seasons, highlighting spectacles like the boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, or the opening day game where the New York Yankees played against the San Francisco Giants.
Sarandos addressed the broader issue of sports rights fragmentation, bringing it to the forefront of federal discourse. He pointed out that most consumers pay for TV via expensive pay-TV packages, which often include costs for offerings that are otherwise free to air. It’s interesting to ponder how this ties into the shifting dynamics of viewing preferences.
As of May, Netflix’s ad-supported tier begins at $8.99 monthly, with standard plans starting at $19.99 and premium tiers reaching $26.99. There’s a question of sustainability as these rates could rise with the addition of more subscribers. Sarandos mentioned that the absence of gaming content seems almost absurd, considering that audiences are gradually moving away from traditional linear options to streaming.
This coming fall, Netflix will again stream a Christmas NFL doubleheader, with plans to expand to a total of five games during the 2026 season. Additionally, the league’s inaugural game in Australia will exclusively stream on Netflix.
Sarandos views this evolution as beneficial for consumers, noting it offers them an inexpensive option to enjoy a variety of content—sports included. He emphasized the competitive bidding environment as valuable for both the league and the economy, asserting that competition drives success. Yet there’s an ongoing concern about whether a few tech giants will monopolize premium entertainment, though Sarandos argues that this shift is a natural evolution of technology and consumer choices.
Recent polls show that many sports fans believe major events should remain accessible on regular television. For those wanting full access to every NFL game, they might have to subscribe to YouTube TV’s “NFL Sunday Ticket,” in addition to various other streaming services, which could accumulate to over $1,500 annually—sans basic cable and broadband fees.
In more news, Netflix will take over the annual NFL Honors Ceremony starting February, coinciding with the lead-up to the Super Bowl scheduled for February 14th, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
