NFL games are starting to look like less of the horse-drawn-bargaining hammer that they once were.Getty Images
TTo DirecTV-Tegna battle of carriages is not generating as many headlines charterNegotiations in early September. But the negotiations over DirecTV and Tegna offer a glimpse into the changing dynamics of sports media, suggesting that some of the power in these disputes may be shifting back to the distribution companies.
in At the end of November, Tegna station DirecTV went dark. Tegna owns approximately 68 local broadcast stations and operates them as an affiliate. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBCvaries by market.
for In past decades, these types of disputes would have been resolved quickly and, in most cases, to the broadcaster’s benefit. That’s because streaming companies like DirecTV knew they would lose too many subscribers if they blacked out NFL and college football games.
in But in this controversy, DirecTV isn’t phased by the loss of NFL games, at least not yet.
of Some DirecTV subscribers were unable to access late-season NFL and college football championship games the first weekend the Tegna station went out.
that It’s starting to look like NFL games aren’t playing the role they once did in negotiations.
I asked DirecTV’s chief content officer. rob toonabout this change in leverage immediately after Tenya Station went dark. Thun He blamed all the blame for the NFL’s lack of leverage on some broadcasters’ strategies to make games available on direct-to-consumer streaming services.
CBS For example, game streaming paramount+. NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” will air. peacock. Fox has decided not to stream NFL games, a decision that may have helped Tegna. However, Tegna has only six Fox affiliates, and they are in small markets.
Thun DirecTV seemed confident it could survive college bowl season. ESPN We carry most bowl games. And he said the NFL Playoffs don’t matter to him, not to mention the fact that the Peacocks will exclusively broadcast NFL Playoff games, as the broadcast networks will make those games available on their own streaming services. .
Thun He says he’s not daunted by the possibility of not playing in February’s Super Bowl.That’s because DirecTV is still streaming nickelodeon, carry the game. Additionally, fans will also have the option to stream the game on his Paramount+.
if DirecTV can get through January and the NFL playoffs without Tegna stations, but this is the clearest sign yet that much of the leverage in these negotiations is shifting back to the distributors. Sho.
John Uhland can be reached at jourand@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow him on X @Ourand_SBJ Read his weekly newsletter and listen to his weekly podcast.