FCC Seeks Comments on the State of the Sports Broadcasting Marketplace

The Federal Communications Commission is asking for public comments on developments in the sports broadcasting video marketplace, including the increasing shift of live sports from traditional broadcast and cable television to streaming platforms, and the impact of this shift on local broadcast stations and viewers.

In its Public Notice, the FCC highlights how live sports programming, which has historically been a cornerstone of free over-the-air broadcast television, is increasingly distributed across subscription-based streaming services and other digital platforms. The FCC says these changes raise questions about marketplace competition, viewer accessibility, and the evolving relationship between broadcasters, leagues, and streaming providers.

The FCC is requesting comments on a range of issues, including how sports rights are allocated across broadcast, cable, and streaming services; how these changes affect consumers’ ability to locate and watch games; and whether changes in the sports broadcasting video marketplace affect broadcasters’ ability to meet their public interest obligations.

The Public Notice does not propose any specific rule changes.

Comments are due by March 27, 2026, and reply comments are due by April 13, 2026.

If you have questions or would like to file comments, contact Scott Pippin in our Media Practice Group.