U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has raised concerns regarding the National Football League's (NFL) current broadcasting model, citing fan frustration over the increasing difficulty and cost of accessing games due to exclusive streaming rights. These issues were discussed during a congressional hearing that examined the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act and potential antitrust implications.
Jordan emphasized the need for affordable access to NFL content for all constituents, stating that current practices may exclude fans unable to afford multiple expensive streaming packages. The shift to streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and Netflix for exclusive game broadcasts has made it more challenging for viewers to follow their favorite teams.
Andrew Whitworth, a figure associated with Amazon Prime Video's NFL coverage, acknowledged fans' frustrations with the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting. "I get it. I get that fans are trying to figure out the landscape of how they want to watch this or that or anything else," Whitworth told Fox News Digital. He likened the challenge of finding NFL games to the current difficulty of locating specific movies or television shows distributed across various streaming platforms.
"I think sports is right along with where entertainment is, and right now a lot of that is you go to these specific places to watch these specific things," Whitworth said. He added that while the current situation might be complex, he believes the industry will eventually simplify and streamline the viewing process as services establish their positions.
The financial implications for fans are significant. Streaming all NFL games in the 2025 season through various services, including Sunday Ticket, Netflix, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN Unlimited, and NFL+, could cost a minimum of $575, and nearly $800 for those who previously subscribed to Sunday Ticket. The NFL has capitalized on this shift, reportedly earning $1 billion annually for broadcasting "Thursday Night Football" on Amazon.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which provides an exemption for sports broadcasting, applies only to traditional broadcast television. Subsequent court rulings have determined that this exemption does not extend to other media such as cable, satellite, or streaming services. The act does, however, still permit local game blackouts, a rule that continues to apply to out-of-market packages sold by the leagues.