NFL pushes deeper into streaming as Netflix lands Australia game amid FCC, DOJ scrutiny
DOJ is investigating NFL over broadcast deals as antitrust exemption comes under scrutiny
The Justice Department is investigating the NFL’s exclusive streaming opportunities amid fan frustration over fragmented and paid access. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr questions whether the league should retain the special antitrust exemption originally established by the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley suggests Congress examine the NFL’s monopoly structure and highlight the NFL’s $25 billion annual revenue and rising fan costs.
The latest backlash in the NFL over transferring games to streaming carriers includes federal oversight of the issue, but that doesn’t stop the league from doing more — at least if a new deal with Netflix to broadcast the first game played in Australia is any measure.
The NFL and Netflix have reached a deal to televise the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams on September 10, according to The Athletic. A league source told OutKick that the deal hasn’t been finalized yet, but talks are moving in that direction.
The first game of the 2026 NFL season will be broadcast by NBC on Wednesday, September 9, between the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and a yet-to-be-announced opponent. The NFL is expected to announce its full schedule later this month.
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The Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 2, 2025. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The 49ers and Rams’ NFC West clash, which pits the top contenders against each other, will be played the following evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest stadium on the Australian continent, with kickoff at 8:35 p.m. ET.
RAMS AND 49ERS WILL MEET IN AUSTRALIA FOR A HISTORIC NFL MATCH WHILE THE LEAGUE DATE AND TIME ARE ANNOUNCED
This game is part of a previous deal that saw the streaming carrier release Christmas games in 2024 and 2025, in addition to the Christmas Day games Netflix will release in December.
But that’s not all the NFL and its streaming services are.
There’s a chance Netflix or another streaming giant could release a game on Thanksgiving Eve, which the NFL wants to add as a product for the first time in 2026. Negotiations on this issue continue.
And the NFL is strongly considering moving games that were previously part of ESPN’s Monday Night doubleheader allotment to YouTube. The NFL held back those second doubleheaders as part of the deal in which ESPN acquired NFL Network in exchange for the NFL’s 10 percent equity in ESPN.
Josh Allen is seen on the field in a Buffalo Bills jersey. NFL fans need YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket” and Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix subscriptions to access every game. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
All of these league flirtations and deals for streaming services are being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to determine whether they violate the league’s antitrust immunity.
NFL executives recently visited the FCC to discuss with Chairman Brendan Carr’s top advisors the NFL’s media distribution approach to its live games and how it benefits fans and local broadcasters.
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Carr expressed concern that fans were having to juggle costly streaming subscriptions to follow football.
Netflix has partnered with CBS Sports to produce the NFL games it will air on Christmas Day. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)
Fox News and OutKick previously reported It was stated that the NFL will also strongly defend its antitrust immunity during the Justice Department’s investigation.
Despite the scrutiny, the NFL believes that streaming 88 percent of its games for “free” is enough to convince government agencies that its antitrust exemption should continue.
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