Netflix, Amazon and YouTube Form Streaming Lobbying Group

Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube have formed the Streaming Access and Choice Alliance (SACA) to lobby federal lawmakers as government scrutiny mounts over the migration of live sports from broadcast television to subscription streaming platforms [1]. The coalition, led by the trade association TechNet, aims to defend the industry’s right to secure exclusive sports rights amid bipartisan legislative efforts to cap costs and increase access for fans [2, 3].

The regulatory pressure

The formation of SACA coincides with a series of federal inquiries into the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which currently allows professional sports leagues to pool media rights and sell them collectively [1, 3]. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released a report characterizing this antitrust exemption as a "special-interest" policy that has gone awry as games move behind paywalls [2, 3]. During the 2025 regular season, NFL game distribution was fragmented across 10 different broadcast and digital outlets, with 20 regular-season games and one playoff matchup restricted to subscription services like Prime Video, YouTube, and Netflix [3].

Lawmakers have cited the rising financial burden on consumers as a primary catalyst for reform. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the "For the Fans Act" after a Green Bay Packers playoff game was restricted to streaming, noting that Wisconsin fans would need to pay over $1,500 annually to access all local team broadcasts [2, 3]. Separately, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) estimated that fans paid nearly $1,000 across various services during the 2025 season to watch every game [3]. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has also opened an inquiry into the fragmentation of sports broadcasting, citing thousands of public comments that favor keeping major events on free, over-the-air television [3].

Industry defense

SACA argues that streaming provides superior value through features like multi-game viewing options, analytics-focused feeds, and creator-hosted companion shows [2, 3]. According to the alliance, the volume of sports content on major subscription streaming services has increased by 52% since January 2024 [2, 3]. TechNet’s Mike Ward, who is leading the lobbying efforts, stated that the group will push for "technology-neutral" policies that encourage innovation and allow companies to continue investing in live events [1, 2].

The new alliance operates independently of the Streaming Innovation Alliance, a separate group formed in 2023 that includes Netflix, Disney, and other traditional media companies to advocate for broader streaming regulations [1, 2]. While the new coalition focuses specifically on the interests of the three tech giants, it enters a landscape where long-term media rights contracts contain opt-out provisions that could allow leagues to renegotiate their distribution strategies as early as this year [3].

What to watch

• Legislative hearings: Monitor for further action from the House Judiciary Committee regarding the potential repeal or modification of the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act [2, 3].
• DOJ investigation: Track the status of the Department of Justice’s antitrust investigation into NFL broadcast rights, which began in April [3].
• Contract renegotiations: Watch for league-level decisions on early opt-out provisions in existing media contracts, which could trigger a shift in how games are distributed in future seasons [3].

The central question remains whether Washington will treat streaming services as distinct tech platforms or as functional replacements for traditional television, a distinction that will determine the future of sports media rights and consumer costs.