FCC Seeks Comment on Sports Broadcasting Landscape

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 5:28pm CT

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has opened a new proceeding to examine the evolving sports broadcasting marketplace, citing concerns about consumer access and the impact on local television stations.

In a Public Notice released February 25, the Bureau is seeking public comment on how recent changes in the distribution of live sports programming are affecting viewers and broadcasters. Comments are due March 27, 2026, with reply comments due April 13.

For decades, the FCC noted, Americans could turn on their televisions and watch major sporting events for free over-the-air. While many games remain available on broadcast TV, the agency said there has been a significant shift toward streaming platforms and subscription services. That shift has increased the number of viewing options but also fragmented distribution, making it more difficult and potentially more expensive for fans to follow their teams.

The Bureau highlighted the historic relationship between broadcast television and live sports, dating back to a 1939 NBC telecast of a college baseball game. Over time, sports programming helped fuel television's growth, while broadcast revenues supported local station operations, including news and public affairs programming.

Today, however, major leagues have entered into multibillion-dollar media rights agreements with a wide range of national distributors, including broadcast networks, cable channels and streaming platforms. The notice points to the National Football League's current agreements with multiple companies, which collectively are valued at more than $100 billion over their terms. Other leagues and college conferences have similarly lucrative national deals.

The FCC is asking how these marketplace developments affect broadcasters' ability to obtain sports rights and whether fragmentation has made it harder for consumers to watch nationally televised and local games on free broadcast television. The agency also is seeking input on the types of rights included in current agreements, the prevalence of exclusive streaming deals and the cost implications for viewers.

In addition, the Bureau is examining whether sports rights contracts could conflict with or impede local broadcasters' public interest obligations, including the provision of local news, emergency information and other community-focused programming. The FCC is also asking what role, if any, it should play in ensuring continued consumer access to live sports through free over-the-air television.

The proceeding will be treated as "permit-but-disclose," allowing for ex parte presentations subject to the Commission's disclosure rules.

In response to the Public Notice, the National Association of Broadcasters expressed support for the review.

"NAB thanks Chairman Carr for his leadership in examining the rapid changes in the sports broadcasting marketplace and what they mean for American viewers and local communities," said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt in a statement.

LeGeyt said consumer access to premier games on free, over-the-air television has long been central to the sports fan experience. As distribution becomes more fragmented across streaming services and paywalls, he said, fans face higher costs and confusion in following their teams.

He added that local broadcasters provide the widest reach for live events and argued that, as the FCC evaluates marketplace trends, it should ensure local stations have a fair opportunity to compete for premium sports rights. That includes modernizing ownership restrictions that NAB says limit broadcasters' ability to achieve scale in today's media environment.