Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube Form Streaming Lobby Group in Washington
Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube have formed the Streaming Access and Choice Alliance (SACA), a TechNet-led coalition advocating for streaming services, including live sports, in Washington.
September 15, 2026 - 5:09 pm
(Image Source: BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash)
The SACA launched on September 14th with the three companies as founding members. TechNet, a trade group representing large tech companies, is at the helm of this new policy coalition.
Coalition Goals
According to TechNet, SACA aims to:
- Advocate for "technology-neutral policies" enabling streaming services to invest in diverse programming, including live sports.
- Promote wider consumer access to content and consumer choice.
Mike Ward, TechNet’s senior vice president of federal policy and government relations, stated:
“Americans want more content choices and flexibility in how and where they watch their favorite programming, including sports and other live events. Streaming and digital entertainment companies offer audiences better features and value for their money. The industry and its customers deserve a dedicated voice in Washington, D.C., advocating for policies that enable innovation and address the needs of today’s consumers.”
Key Policy Positions
The SACA website outlines four core policy positions:
- Promoting competition and consumer value through forward-looking policies.
- Technology-neutral frameworks allowing market forces, viewing trends, and innovation to dictate access.
- Encouraging streaming platforms to invest in all types of programming, including live sports.
- Fostering environments where sports leagues and rights holders can explore distribution deals.
Statistical Insights
The SACA website cites the following figures:
- 99% of US households have at least one streaming service.
- The average American has three streaming services.
- 36% of US households pay for cable or satellite TV, while 15% rely solely on a digital antenna.
- Global subscription streaming services’ sports content has grown by 52% since January 2024.
(Note: The SACA website provides five citations for these figures but does not list the sources.)
Government Scrutiny and Sports Rights
The SACA launch follows government scrutiny of sports leagues shifting their rights to streaming services. Earlier this year, the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission initiated an inquiry into the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which allows leagues to pool and sell their TV rights together. The inquiry is exploring whether this antitrust exemption should be revised.
FCC chair Brendan Carr has expressed concerns that too many sports rights may be flowing to paywalled streaming services.
A New Era for Streamers
This new coalition is a repeat effort from Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube, who were formerly members of the Internet Association, which dissolved in 2021 due to spreading interests. Netflix also joined the Motion Picture Association that same year.