iWorld
Amazon, Netflix and YouTube launch US streaming coalition to push consumer choice
TechNet-led alliance will advocate technology-neutral policies and greater flexibility across streaming and live sports
WASHINGTON: Amazon, Netflix and YouTube have joined forces to launch the Streaming Access and Choice Alliance (SACA), a new industry coalition that will push for policies supporting innovation, competition and consumer choice in streaming entertainment.
Led by TechNet, the alliance will advocate technology-neutral rules that allow streaming platforms to invest in programming and develop new viewing experiences, including for live sports. TechNet senior vice president of federal policy and government relations Mike Ward will lead SACA.
The coalition comes as streaming has become a mainstream alternative to traditional pay-TV in the US, while sports rights are increasingly split between linear television and digital platforms. SACA said its policy agenda will focus on giving consumers greater flexibility over what, where and how they watch content.
According to figures cited by the alliance, 99 per cent of US households have at least one streaming service, with the average household subscribing to three. More than 90 per cent of households have broadband, while around 36 per cent subscribe to traditional cable or satellite television.
SACA also highlighted the growing role of streaming in sports, saying sports content on major global subscription streaming services has increased 52 per cent since January 2024.
The alliance said streaming can offer features beyond traditional television, including multi-game viewing, alternate camera angles, analytics-focused feeds, multilingual broadcasts, creator-led companion programming, replays and clips.
SACA will position consumer choice as a central argument in its policy push, seeking rules that allow competition, consumer demand and innovation to determine how entertainment is distributed rather than favouring a particular technology or platform.
For Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, the coalition provides a common policy voice in Washington as the lines between traditional television, streaming, digital video and live sports continue to blur.
