Full Breakdown
Streaming Platforms Form New Lobbying Alliance Amid Sports-Rights Scrutiny
By Drooid · · How we work
Formation of the Streaming Access and Choice Alliance
On Monday, Netflix, YouTube and Amazon announced the creation of the Streaming Access and Choice Alliance (SACA). The coalition is organized by TechNet, a trade association that represents major technology firms, with Mike Ward, TechNet’s senior vice president of federal policy and government relations, serving as the alliance’s lead.
Background and Policy Context
The launch follows the dissolution of the Internet Association in 2021 and comes as the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) evaluate whether the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961— which grants professional sports leagues an antitrust exemption to sell television rights collectively—should be revisited. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has questioned whether that exemption is encouraging the migration of games behind streaming paywalls. At the same time, streaming services have increasingly secured exclusive live-sports deals: Amazon streams the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football,” YouTube carries the league’s Sunday Ticket package, and Netflix has added NFL games to its live-sports lineup.
Impact on Sports Broadcasting and Consumer Choice
By uniting the three largest streaming players, SACA aims to shape federal policy on issues such as the treatment of streaming-TV distributors under existing television regulations and the potential revision of the Sports Broadcasting Act. Industry observers note that the group’s focus on sports reflects growing pressure from regulators and broadcasters who argue that major events should remain freely available on broadcast stations.
Verbatim Quote
“Americans want more content choices and flexibility in how and where they watch their favorite programming, including sports and other live events,” — Mike Ward — Mike Ward, senior vice president of federal policy and government relations, TechNet.