The battle for NFL broadcasting rights has taken a dramatic turn as Fox successfully secured two more games that were once destined to be shown on YouTube. Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch confirmed on Monday that the network has added a pair of nationally televised games to its existing Sunday afternoon package.
Fox Strengthens NFL Partnership
'The NFL has been a key partner with Fox for more than 30 years in what is a mutually beneficial relationship,' Murdoch said on an earnings call Monday morning. 'To underscore this relationship with the NFL, yesterday, Fox acquired rights to two additional NFL games in national windows for this coming season.'
The move comes as a blow to YouTube, which had emerged as the favorite to land a five-game package earlier this year before the league pivoted to divide the games between Netflix and Fox.
Historic Triple Header and December Slot
Under the new arrangement, Fox will host a historic triple header on Sunday, November 15, headlined by a morning game in Germany featuring the Detroit Lions. The international contest marks the first time a single broadcaster will air three consecutive NFL games on the same day. The second game in the new package is scheduled for a Saturday afternoon in Week 15, providing Fox with a prime December slot usually reserved for exclusive national windows.
While Fox secured two games, Netflix walked away with the remaining three, giving the streaming platform a total of five standalone games for the 2026 season.
Fragmentation of Media Rights
The aggressive bidding war highlights the league's ongoing strategy of fragmenting its media rights, though the Fox win represents a victory for fans who still rely on free-to-air television. The shift follows reported warnings from President Donald Trump that the league's move toward streaming could 'kill' the product.
Trump Criticizes Streaming Model
In an interview on Full Measure on Sunday, the President broke his silence on the federal investigation into media rights and the shift to expensive platforms. The probe follows a move toward paid streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Peacock, which have fragmented the viewing experience for millions of fans.
'It's tough. You've got people that love football. They don't make enough money to go and pay for this,' Trump told Sharyl Attkisson during the Sunday morning sit-down. 'And they [the NFL] could be killing the golden goose,' the President added. He warned the league's leadership to tread carefully with their new model, stating: 'Others have tried this, and all of a sudden you don't have a sport anymore.'
'There's something very sad when they take football away from many, many people. Very sad. I don't like it,' the President added. Trump questioned why the league is squeezing fans, noting: 'They're making a lot of money. They could make a little bit less. They could let the people see.'
