In a move that blends patriotism, politics, and prime-time profits, President Donald Trump has pledged to sign an executive order granting the annual Army-Navy football game an exclusive four-hour broadcast window on the second Saturday in December. Announced via a fiery post on Truth Social on January 18, 2026, Trump decried the encroachment of the expanding College Football Playoff (CFP) system, labeling it a threat to "one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor!"
This decree, if enacted, could shield the game from competing broadcasts, directly boosting Paramount Skydance — led by CEO David Ellison — whose CBS network holds exclusive rights to the matchup through 2038. While critics question the order's enforceability and Trump's authority over private broadcasters, it arrives at a pivotal moment for Paramount, embroiled in a high-stakes bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) against Netflix.
The Executive Order: Details and Trump's Rationale
Trump's announcement emphasized preserving the game's standalone status: "Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!"
He highlighted the rivalry's symbolic importance, noting, "On the field, they are rivals, but on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots." The order appears aimed at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reposting Trump's statement, signaling potential regulatory backing.
Legal experts, however, are skeptical. "It's unclear how an executive order could dictate private networks' scheduling without infringing on First Amendment rights or antitrust laws," said media law professor Jane Bambauer in a CNN interview. No historical precedent exists for such federal intervention in sports broadcasting, though Trump has previously used executive actions to influence media, like his 2020 order targeting social media liability protections. Enforcement might involve FCC guidelines or pressure on broadcasters, but details remain vague as the White House has not released a draft.
The Army-Navy Game, pitting the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) against the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis), dates back to 1890 and is one of college football's oldest rivalries. Traditionally held after conference championships, it has enjoyed de facto exclusivity, drawing 7-10 million viewers annually and generating significant ad revenue.
The CBS deal, extended in December 2024, contributes over 30% to both academies' athletic budgets — roughly $15-20 million per year combined — funding scholarships and facilities. Streaming on Paramount+ adds digital reach, with the 2025 game peaking at 8.2 million viewers despite CFP competition.
A Boost for Paramount Skydance: Ellison's Edge in the Merger Battle
This intervention couldn't come at a better time for David Ellison, son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison — a vocal Trump supporter who donated $30 million to his 2024 campaign. Paramount Skydance, fresh from its $8 billion merger in July 2025, is aggressively pursuing WBD in a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid, outpacing Netflix's $82.7 billion offer for WBD's content assets.
Securing the Army-Navy exclusivity enhances CBS's sports portfolio, potentially increasing subscriber retention for Paramount+ amid a 15% year-over-year growth to 72 million users in Q4 2025.
Analysts speculate this EO could be a balancing act, appeasing Ellison while pressuring Disney's ESPN (CFP rights holder through 2031) and WBD's TNT, which sublicense playoff games. "It's a win for Paramount's leverage in negotiations," noted Barclays media analyst Kannan Venkateshwar, estimating the game's protected slot could add $50-75 million in annual ad revenue.
Also read:
- Disney+ Embraces Vertical Video and AI: Targeting the First "AI-Native" Generation in 2026
- China as a Platform Nation: Nihao China App Redefines Inbound Tourism in the Digital Age
- The Traditional Career Ladder is Crumbling: AI's Role in Reshaping Junior Paths in Consulting and Beyond
Reactions and Broader Implications
Public response on X (formerly Twitter) has been polarized. Supporters like user @PeriwinkleDsgns cheered, "YES!!!!!" while critics decried overreach: "Trump has NO legal authority over where & when the Army/Navy [game] is played," posted @GuySalsburg.
Calls for boycotts emerged, with @Darla_B urging, "If this stands, boycott watching the game. #RESIST." Sports commentators worry about CFP disruption; the playoff's proposed 14-team expansion by 2026 could lose a key December weekend, impacting $2.4 billion in ESPN rights value.
For the military academies, the order aligns with Trump's pro-veteran stance — he attended the 2025 game, his first as president-elect since 2019. Yet, it underscores growing federal entanglement in entertainment, potentially setting a precedent for government favoritism in media deals. As Paramount battles for WBD dominance, Trump's "preferential treatment" might tip the scales, but at what cost to free-market broadcasting? The game's next kickoff in December 2026 at MetLife Stadium could mark a new era—or a fumbled play in regulatory overreach.
