(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Are streaming services making it hard to follow your favorite sports team? The Federal Communications Commission is examining whether the patchwork of sports streaming services creates an unaffordable hassle for consumers.
"For decades, Americans enjoyed turning on their TV and quickly finding the game they wanted to see. Many games are still on broadcast, but an increasing number are on a range of different online platforms," FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in announcing a formal inquiry.
That's especially true if you're an NBA fan. Throughout the week, games will stream on several services, including NBC’s Peacock, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video, while other games are locked to regional networks.
The FCC called out streaming services for placing games behind paywalls. “While this can increase the number of games and sports available to fans, many consumers today find it more difficult to find the events they want to watch and are now paying to sign up for one or more video distribution platforms that consumers can find difficult to navigate," the commission says. “In 2025, NFL games aired on 10 different services, which, according to some estimates, could cost a consumer over $1,500 to watch all games.”
In response, the US regulator is seeking public input on whether current streaming dynamics are benefiting or harming consumers.
The larger question is if and how the FCC might act. The commission notes that the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 amended antitrust laws to allow national sports leagues to sign exclusive contracts with TV broadcast networks. Still, the FCC is hinting it might use other enforcement mechanisms to exert pressure. (Carr has also been taking on late-night talk shows for interviews with politicians.)
“How should these [sports media] arrangements be considered in the context of broadcasters’ public interest obligations and the FCC’s duty to ensure licensees meet their statutory requirements?” the inquiry asks. “What role does the FCC have and what steps could it take to ensure any broadcast licensee responsibilities are fulfilled?”
If you have thoughts, go to the FCC’s official comment filing system, click “submit a filing” at the top, and then type in “26-45” in the “Proceeding” field to ensure your comments go to the sports broadcasting inquiry. The deadline to submit a comment is March 27.