As streaming platforms reshape the distribution of live sports, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened an inquiry into the evolving sports broadcasting marketplace. In a new insight, Technology and Innovation Policy Analyst Angela Luna examines the impact of streaming and considers the possibility of regulatory or legislative action by the FCC or Congress.

Key points:

• The FCC is seeking comments on the impact of recent changes in sports distribution on broadcast stations’ ability to meet their public interest obligations as well as on consumers’ ability to find and afford live game telecasts.
• The agency has long regulated broadcast licenses to protect local broadcasters, but while cable television moved some sports programming outside of FCC authority, the rise of streaming has greatly increased fragmentation of the sports viewing market.
• Because it lacks authority over streaming, the FCC has limited influence, but its inquiry could lead to action – potentially by Congress – to update the rules and address fragmentation in today’s sports media viewer market.

Read the analysis.