Football Is America’s Pastime—Grandstanding Is Congress’ | Opinion
Summary
Congress members from both parties are criticizing the NFL for increasing the cost to watch football games due to streaming services. However, experts and reports say professional football is more affordable and accessible now than before because many games are available for free on local broadcast TV or through cheaper streaming options.Key Facts
- Bipartisan critics in Congress blame the NFL for higher costs linked to streaming football games.
- The NFL’s deals with broadcast TV channels are locked in until 2033, keeping local games available for free over the air.
- Most football games are offered both on traditional TV networks and streaming platforms simultaneously.
- Streaming services like ESPN+, Paramount+, and Peacock allow people who have cut cable to watch games at lower costs.
- Some exclusive games still air on local broadcast TV in the teams’ home markets, including the upcoming Christmas Day games on Netflix.
- Research shows the total cost to watch all games in a season via streaming and free broadcasts is less than $220, much lower than the $1,000 figure cited by critics.
- Federal agencies like the FCC and Justice Department are also examining the NFL’s broadcasting practices for potential legal issues.
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