DOJ investigates NFL streaming deals as antitrust exemption draws scrutiny
The Justice Department is investigating the NFL’s exclusive streaming deals amid fan frustration over fragmented, paid access. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr questions whether the league should retain its special antitrust exemption, originally established by the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act. PK Press Club contributor Jonathan Turley suggests Congress examine the NFL’s monopolistic structure, pointing to its $25 billion annual revenue and rising fan costs.
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Streaming giant Netflix’s push into live sports extends from WWE and Formula 1 to select MLB and NFL games.
Although the initiative drew some criticism, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the strategy was not intended to secure full-season rights packages for a sports league. »
“We’re not bidding on an entire season of sports, including the NFL,” Sarandos said Tuesday on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria.” So far, Sarandos’ comments have proven true, with Netflix prioritizing highlight events including Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and the New York Yankees’ shutout of the San Francisco Giants.
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The Netflix logo is displayed on a building in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California on December 2, 2025. (Mike Blake/Reuters)
Sarandos maintains a firm line on the company’s position amid ongoing federal scrutiny of the NFL and, more broadly, the trend toward fragmentation of sports rights. Some have argued that this trend makes watching games more expensive and ultimately more difficult for fans.
NFL FACES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION AFTER FANS EXPRESS FRUSTRATION WITH STREAMING PIVOT: REPORT
However, federal scrutiny of sports fragmentation has brought the topic of live sports on streaming services to the forefront.
“Remember, most people pay for TV through pay TV packages that are much more expensive than Netflix,” Sarandos said, suggesting that while they are technically free, streaming networks are most often bundled into paid services.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos speaks during the groundbreaking for Netflix Fort Monmouth Studios in Eatontown, New Jersey, May 13, 2025. (Tanya Breen/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
As of May, Netflix’s ad-supported introductory tier starts at $8.99 per month. The standard plan starts at $19.99 per month, while the premium tier starts at $26.99 per month. Prices may increase if subscribers add additional members. The basic plan was abandoned.
“As viewers move more and more from linear to streaming and on-demand, if the games aren’t there, it seems a little ridiculous. You’re not running in the opposite direction of the American consumer,” Sarandos continued.
This fall, Netflix will once again have an exclusive window for an NFL doubleheader on Christmas Day while expanding its overall footprint to five games during the 2026 season. The league’s first-ever game in Australia during the first week will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, while a Thanksgiving Eve game will also be included in the California-based company’s expanded NFL rights package.
Netflix and NFL signage advertises the two NFL Christmas Day marquee games streaming live on Netflix in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 1, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
“It’s a great thing for the consumer because it provides a low-cost, very affordable way to watch sports, TV, movies, kids shows, podcasts and play games. All of those things for $8.99 is an incredible proposition for consumers,” Sarandos said, addressing regulatory review of sports streaming rights and whether exemptions should apply when non-linear platforms acquire a share of a league’s inventory.
“It’s great for the leagues to have a competitive, active base of candidates for these games, so that’s valuable. I think that’s an important part of American economic success, is that you can build on that and be competitive, and you have to deliver on your promises.”
Faced with fears that only a select number of tech companies could end up controlling high-end entertainment, Sarandos pushed back, arguing that Sarandos countered, arguing, “I would say people probably said the same thing when pay TV, which is where most people are probably watching this show right now, came along and replaced antenna TV. It’s sort of a natural evolution of technology and consumer demand.”
A PK Press Club Poll in March reported that 72% of sports fans believe major sporting events should remain free on television, as the NFL considers allowing teams to sell rights to preseason games to streaming services.
NFL fans who want access to every game must purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket,” in addition to expensive subscriptions for all streaming services the NFL broadcasts on.
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These streaming services are Amazon PrimePeacock and Netflix. The combination of these respective services adds up to more than $1,500 per year, and that doesn’t include fees associated with basic cable packages or the high-speed Wi-Fi needed to accommodate the platforms.
Front Office Sports reported that the annual NFL Honors ceremony, which takes place in the days leading up to the Super Bowl in the host city, is expected to move to Netflix starting in February. The 2027 Super Bowl is scheduled to begin on February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
