Baldwin challenges NFL streaming exclusivity for Packers games
Wisconsin senator says fans shouldn't pay tech billionaires for games that taxpayer-subsidized teams broadcast.
What to know
- Senator Baldwin posted that Wisconsin residents shouldn't have to pay tech billionaires (Amazon) to watch publicly-subsidized teams play, targeting Prime Video's exclusive NFL broadcast rights.
- Constituents debated whether games are actually available free over-the-air locally, with some noting NFL rules require broadcast access in team markets.
- The broader conversation centered on rising streaming costs replicating cable's price model, loss of free sports access, and corporate consolidation of entertainment—with some viewers citing personal cutoffs from following teams.
The dispute Whether the Packers game is actually available free over-the-air in Wisconsin markets (some claim NFL rules require local broadcast; others discuss Prime Video exclusive rights as blocking access). · positions read across 68 posts and comments
Streaming sports behind paywalls represents corporate greed that has made sports unaffordable for working-class and older fans.
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“I recall when streaming services came out. they were less than half the price for cable or satellite. Now, they are just as expensive. The wealthy are screwing us again.”
gn4rest.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Games are already available free over-the-air in local markets under NFL rules, so the complaint misses the actual access situation.
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“By NFL rule, the game will be broadcast over the air on WI TV stations. Find a better cause Tammy”
realhootz72.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Publicly-subsidized teams and stadiums should broadcast all games free over-the-air, or sports should withdraw government subsidies and go entirely private.
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“If taxpayers subsidize NFL Stadiums and teams receive other tax breaks and incentives….ALL games should be free over-the -air.… or require that All subsidies and incentives be withdrawn”
lexcast.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Tammy Baldwin U.S. Senator (Wisconsin)Amazon/Jeff Bezos Streaming service owner
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage postscomments
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Constituents debate streaming costs and sports access
Comments on Baldwin's post reveal frustration over rising streaming prices, loss of free broadcast television for sports, and broader concerns about corporate consolidation of entertainment. Some constituents note the game is available over-the-air in Wisconsin, while others cite personal cutoffs from viewing due to subscription costs.
“Wisconsinites shouldn't have to pay for another streaming service owned by a tech billionaire just to watch our Packers play.”
— Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator (Wisconsin) · source -
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Wisconsinites shouldn’t have to pay for another streaming service owned by a tech billionaire just to watch our Packers play.
2 more of the top 3 · 68 posts in this stretch
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I recall when streaming services came out. they were less than half the price for cable or satellite. Now, they are just as expensive. The wealthy are screwing us again. They have almost made it too expensive for the average citizen to exist.
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If taxpayers subsidize NFL Stadiums and teams receive other tax breaks and incentives….ALL games should be free over-the -air.… or require that All subsidies and incentives be withdrawn and the league must go 100% “private”….. then it’s all their ballgame.
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background
Baldwin objects to Prime Video's exclusive Packers broadcast — Senator Tammy Baldwin posted on Bluesky criticizing the requirement for Wisconsinites to pay for an Amazon Prime subscription to watch Green Bay Packers games, framing it as an unfair burden on constituents.
What people are saying 21 voices from 1 site · best of 68 · verbatim
- Is the Packers game actually available free over-the-air in Wisconsin under current NFL broadcast rules, or is it exclusively on Prime Video?
- What is the scope of Amazon Prime Video's exclusivity for NFL games—does it apply to all games or specific matchups?
- Sep 25
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Life long Packers Fan/Owner and I did watch it on Prime and I wish I had not. But I do agree and don’t pay for anything else so the ONLY games I get are on Prime.
- Sep 24
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So you're going to go after the NFL and the owners right? Wasn't it ultimately their decision to allow this to happen?
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Try uzzu. It’s legal. It’s reasonably priced considering it works for most pro sports and even has other live tv. Doesn’t work great with lg tvs but their support team will help. I emailed on a Saturday and they responded within a few hours
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Not sure if this is legal but have you seen streameast.ga?
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At the very least, the game should be televised on free TV in the local markets of both of the teams. TBH the NFL selling out to the streaming services like this is an example of corporate greed killing the golden goose.
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We ALL feel this way. So, I get a lot more done listening to the radio
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Stop the bootlicking billionaires from destroying our democracy !
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Even as a @chibears.bsky.social fan, I support this message.
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We had problems since big satellite > cable takeover !
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Take back your team, your stadium. It’s owned by people running a criminal enterprise. You can do it. Oligarchs are wealthy because they fleece everyone they come in contact with. They belong behind bars.
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you are so dope for this and im a vikings fan so normally that would be really hard for me. not for you though.
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EXACTLY. SAME HORSESH_T IS HAPPENING IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. THE LAST BASTION OF THE WORKING CLASS, A COLD BEER AT THE END OF A DAY AND UNCORRUPTED FOOTBALL, HAS BEEN MONOPOLIZED AND RUINED BY HAVING TO NEED A SUBSCRIPTION OR PAY A FEE ETC. IF THAT ISN'T PROOF OF TRUMPISM, NOTHING IS.
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As a public service I think you need to tell everyone in the state that the modern version of "rabbit ears," a simple antenna hooked to your TV SHOULD pick up locals feeds on your airways and that includes broadcast tv. It's cheap, it works and Bezos doesn't get your bucks!!
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A life-long Packer's fan here .... but I will not be watching the game tonight. I'll just keep up with it on ESPN's website.
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Yup, if everyone stopped watching it would change. But people can't stop watching.
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Members of congress who do not fight the U.S. taxpayer funded transfer of 40,000, 2K pound bombs to Israel, are committing genocide themselves. No different than providing the gas pellets to Hitler!😰.
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You might want to check before you answer next time
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This is the plan. A very select few own everything, the rest of us have to rent it and pay them for the privilege.
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I wont' pay for Prime, but I ponied up for NFL Sunday Ticket because I follow 2 teams out of my local area. Will I next year? I don't know, I'm waiting to see how this goes. But streaming is starting to get unwatchable, with the ads. Soon, we'll all be around the radio, like in the 30's and 40's/
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Don't like paying (neither do I) then BOYCOTT. They will either go broke or make life more affordable. The power is ours!
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By NFL rule, the game will be broadcast over the air on WI TV stations. Find a better cause Tammy A constituent