President Trump says he plans to sign an executive order aimed at protecting the Army-Navy Game, one of college football’s most enduring traditions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that the second Saturday in December should belong exclusively to Army vs. Navy, without competition from College Football Playoff games or other high-profile matchups. He said the order would secure an exclusive four-hour broadcast window so the rivalry “stands above commercial postseason games.”
Whether or not such an order could survive legal scrutiny, the announcement puts a spotlight back on the Army–Navy Game, as CBS has been the longtime broadcast home of the rivalry, with many cord cutters streaming on Paramount+.
CBS has controlled the rights to America’s Game since 1996, with coverage set to continue across its television and streaming platforms through 2038. The rivalry is seen as one of the oldest and most ceremonial traditions in American sports, dating back to the 19th century, with the president often in attendance. It wasn’t until 1945 that the Third leg of the triangular series for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy was nationally televised, and it has been every year since.
As a premier live event, the Army-Navy Game consistently draws large linear TV audiences. In 2024, it set a record of ~9.4 million viewers tuned in on CBS, surpassing the previous record set in 1992 (8.45 million). An exclusive four-hour window, making Army-Navy untouchable, could help Paramount negotiate ad sales, sponsorships, convert viewers into subscribers, and reduce college football competition for Paramount+ during bowl season.
However, Trump’s proposed executive order aiming to block all other games from airing during Army-Navy’s window raises immediate, practical, and legal questions. Media experts and legal analysts have warned that ordering networks what to broadcast would likely trigger First Amendment and Commerce Clause challenges. An executive order can’t easily rewrite commercial contracts or force private broadcasters to blackout programming.
With viewing habits splintered across platforms, major live events like Army–Navy remain one of the few reliable drivers of new sign-ups. And although courts may ultimately weigh in on Trump’s proposed executive order concerning the game, its long-term broadcast home ensures viewers still know where to find the battle for the Secretary’s Trophy.