Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the NFL's movement of games to streaming platforms raises questions about the league's antitrust exemption. Speaking at an event in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Carr highlighted concerns over fans' access and costs.[1][2]
"Does the NFL still benefit from the antitrust exemption when they’re negotiating for carriage of games not on a sponsored telecast, but on a streaming service?" Carr said. "That’s a very live, very ripe question."[1]
Carr warned that placing too many games behind paywalls could undermine the exemption. The NFL has held the exemption under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which permits collective negotiations for television rights if they produce economic benefits for the public, including access protections.[3][4]
A YouTube TV NFL Sunday Ticket subscription, which provides out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, costs $379.99 for the 2025 season.[5] Access to all regular-season games typically requires additional services, including Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football through 2033.[6][7] Special games appear on platforms such as Peacock and Netflix.[7]
Last month, the FCC announced it would seek public comment on the migration of live sports from broadcast television to streaming services. Initial comments are due by March 27, 2026, with replies due April 13, 2026.[1][2]
Carr has expressed support for maintaining over-the-air sports programming. "There has long been a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between sports leagues and broadcasters, and consumers will benefit if that continues," he told Fox News Digital previously.[2]
The NFL did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.[2]
Sources
- Publisher/Organization name: Semafor
Article/page title: FCC’s Carr questions NFL’s antitrust exemption as streaming costs rise
Publication date: February 20, 2026
Direct URL: https://www.semafor.com/article/02/20/2026/fcc-carr-nfl-antitrust-exemption-streaming - Publisher/Organization name: Fox News Digital
Article/page title: FCC chair Carr warns NFL could lose antitrust exemption if too many games go behind streaming paywall
Publication date: February 21, 2026
Direct URL: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/fcc-chair-carr-nfl-antitrust-exemption-streaming-paywall - Publisher/Organization name: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Article/page title: Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (Public Law 87-263)
Publication date: September 30, 1961
Direct URL: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-75/pdf/STATUTE-75-Pg732.pdf - Publisher/Organization name: Encyclopædia Britannica
Article/page title: Sports Broadcasting Act
Publication date: Accessed February 22, 2026
Direct URL: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sports-Broadcasting-Act - Publisher/Organization name: YouTube TV
Article/page title: NFL Sunday Ticket Pricing
Publication date: Accessed February 22, 2026
Direct URL: https://tv.youtube.com/learn/nflsundayticket/ - Publisher/Organization name: NFL.com
Article/page title: NFL Media Policy - Thursday Night Football on Prime Video
Publication date: Ongoing (deal through 2033)
Direct URL: https://www.nfl.com/legal/mediapolicy/ - Publisher/Organization name: Sports Media Watch
Article/page title: 2024 NFL TV Schedule: Where to Watch Every Game
Publication date: Updated September 2024 (relevant to ongoing deals)
Direct URL: https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/nfl-tv-schedule/
