What is a broadcast window? An explanation of how film and sports rights licensing periods work

A broadcast window is the period during which a service is authorized to broadcast a film, program, or sporting event. The content may not be broadcast outside that window, whose duration is determined by the rights license, league rules, or regulations. Film and television licenses are divided by date, as in the 45-day theatrical window for major U.S. studios after the pandemic; sports restrictions are divided by time of day, as in the Saturday blackout window from 15:45 to 18:15 Central European Time in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland during the 2026–27 season.