NFL pushes again on criticism of streaming video games

The NFL is defending its expanded lineup of video games on streaming platforms amid criticism from President Donald Trump and scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department.

While discussing this week’s schedule launch with reporters, NFL government vp of media distribution Hans Schroeder on Friday steered the league has no intention of pulling again from its partnerships with streaming providers.

“We love our model,” he stated. “We think we have the most fan-friendly model there is of any sport or entertainment as far as distribution.”

The NFL airs 87% of its video games on free broadcast networks CBS, NBC, FOX and ABC, in accordance with league officers. But Schroeder argued that the league is definitely assembly customers the place they’re in an period of cord-cutting by including video games on platforms akin to Netflix.

“We think broadcast [networks] have been an incredible home,” he stated. “And, now, we also know fans are increasingly spending their time on other platforms as well. They tune into broadcast for the NFL and that’s where we want to be. But we also want to be on these platforms with a limited amount of our games where we know our NFL fans are already as well.

“When we’re going onto Netflix, we’re going onto a platform that’s already massively adopted and an enormous variety of viewers on that platform already, together with an enormous variety of NFL followers.”

Trump criticized the NFL earlier this week for its expansion to streaming platforms, telling news program “Full Measure” that “you’ve got acquired folks that love soccer. They’re nice individuals. They do not make sufficient cash to go and pay this. It’s robust.” Asked whether the government would intervene, Trump said, “I do not know, however I do not prefer it.”

The Justice Department reportedly has begun reviewing the NFL’s broadcast distribution decisions for potential anticompetitive tactics related to the Sports Broadcasting Act (SBA) of 1961. The SBA grants the NFL limited antitrust protections and allows the league to negotiate TV rights packages.

But as the league diversifies the platforms on which games are airing — there will again be games this season on Netflix and Amazon Prime — subscribing to additional services is increasing the cost of watching NFL games. The NFL has also received criticism from the National Association of Broadcasters, which urged the Justice Department to look into the league’s broadcast deals. Relatedly, FOX chairman emeritus Rupert Murdoch has raised the issue of streaming with the president, according to the Wall Street Journal.

But the NFL continues to push back.

“We’re dedicated to being on broadcast tv in ways in which different content material shouldn’t be and proceed to be within the hopes of reaching our followers,” NFL executive vice president of communications and public affairs and policy Jeff Miller said Friday. “… So, if the NAB or FOX or others are questioning the deserves of that, I’m undecided I actually perceive the place that comes from. But we’ll proceed to do what’s finest for our followers and which means proceed to remain on broadcast tv.”