Fox Competes with Streamers for New Five-Game NFL Package

Fox is actively competing for a significant new media rights package from the NFL, which includes five games. The network is among several contenders, including major streaming platforms YouTube and Netflix. This endeavor coincides with ongoing investigations by the U.S. Justice Department into the NFL’s streaming rights agreements and their compliance with antitrust laws.

Fox’s Position in NFL Negotiations

As part of its campaign, Fox has urged federal authorities to scrutinize the NFL’s antitrust exemption. This exemption, established under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, may not adequately apply to streaming services that charge for access. In a public comment submitted to the FCC, Fox raised concerns about these services increasingly overshadowing traditional broadcast networks.

Concerns About Streaming Services

• Fox warned that the competition from financially robust streaming companies is driving up costs for broadcast rights.
• The company described the situation as a “crisis,” where networks face the risk of losing access to game broadcasts.

Supporting Fox’s stance, The Wall Street Journal has also called for an investigation into the antitrust exemption, emphasizing the importance of broadcast networks in the streaming age.

Statistics on NFL Broadcasts

In the previous NFL season, out of 143 telecast windows, 107 (75%) were aired on broadcast television. Conversely, 36 windows were not shown on traditional networks, with 21 of those exclusive to streaming platforms. Notably, all NFL games must be aired on local broadcast television in home markets, regardless of their primary distribution method.

Impact of Federal Investigation

Should the NFL hesitate to sell rights to streaming services during the federal inquiry, it might create an advantageous situation for broadcast networks like Fox. In line with this, Fox was noted as the sole network mentioned in reports regarding the upcoming bidding process.

Upcoming Changes in NFL Airings

Recently, the NFL announced a shift of a high-profile game from streaming back to broadcast television. This Christmas Day game, previously shown on Prime Video, will now air on Fox.

Game Package Details

According to reports, the NFL has outlined a “menu” of game windows for bidders. They can choose five windows, which include:

• Week 1 International Series game from Australia
• Thanksgiving Eve game
• Black Friday game
• Christmas Eve window

This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday, likely aligning with Amazon’s Thursday Night Football package. However, it’s still uncertain if a second game will be scheduled on that day.

As the negotiations continue, Fox aims to secure its position within the evolving landscape of NFL broadcasting and streaming rights.