NFL Pushes Back Against Streaming Criticism as Lawmaker Calls for Action

The NFL is making moves into the world of streaming, with Netflix announcing a third exclusive NFL game on Thanksgiving Evening, followed by two more on Christmas Day. This shift has raised concerns from President Trump, lawmakers, the Justice Department, and the FCC about potential harm to consumers and potential violations of federal law.

During the league’s schedule release for the upcoming season, Hans Schroeder, EVP of media distribution, emphasized that the NFL values both direct-to-consumer streaming and traditional TV. The NFL still offers free over-the-air TV access for 87% of its games in local markets, unlike other sports leagues.

Schroeder highlighted that the NFL has partnerships with platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, CBS/Paramount+, ESPN Unlimited, and NBC/Peacock, which collectively reach 291 million subscribers. This means that NFL fans have various options for accessing games.

However, Senator Tammy Baldwin is pushing back against the idea of fans needing to pay for a Netflix subscription to watch games, like the Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams on Thanksgiving Evening. She argues that this places an unfair financial burden on viewers.

Netflix has stated that the games they stream will also be available on local, over-the-air broadcast television in the respective team markets. But Baldwin points out that many fans in Wisconsin, particularly outside of the Green Bay and Milwaukee markets, may still need to pay for streaming services to watch games.

The NFL’s partnership with Netflix includes streaming various games throughout the season, with a focus on special events rather than regular season games. The league maintains that its hybrid approach to TV and streaming is legally sound and aims to reach fans through various platforms.

Despite concerns from lawmakers, the NFL is confident in its model and remains committed to providing access to games across different mediums. The league’s move towards streaming continues to face scrutiny, but the NFL is determined to adapt to the changing landscape of media consumption.