Efforts to Fight Sports Streaming Fragmentation Ramp Up in D.C.

Washington, D.C.’s growing fight against sports media is getting nearly as fragmented as the channel confusion that federal officials are combatting.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D., Wisc.) introduced on Wednesday a bill called For The Fans Act that seeks to make it easier for consumers to access live sports. The proposal’s two key provisions include ending regional blackouts in all league-owned, subscription-based streaming services, including NBA League Pass and MLB.TV, and requiring all pro leagues to provide free, live access to local games.

The NFL already does the latter measure in the home markets of the competing teams in each game, but the bill aims to expand the concept to every other major league and on a state-level basis.

“This has become an American issue. There is no consistency and it’s flat-out confusing for fans,” Baldwin said of the current level of sports media fragmentation. “It’s not only confusing, it’s also damn expensive.”



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