Sports Belong on Free Channels, Broadcast Group Will Testify (1)

Sports games ought to be primarily shown on free, over-the-air TV channels rather than on subscription-based streaming platforms, the head of the National Association of Broadcasters plans to tell members of Congress in a hearing about the rising costs to consumers.

NAB Chief Executive Officer Curtis LeGeyt will argue on Wednesday that the House Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee should “reaffirm” that the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, which gives an antitrust exemption to sports leagues to negotiate media deals collectively, only applies to discussions about games distributed over broadcast television and not on streaming services.

Federal regulators have been scrutinizing the ...