President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce and the chair of the Federal Communications Commission to work with the College Football Playoff, the NCAA and media partners to create an “exclusive window” for the Army–Navy Game so no other college football game airs at the same time.

Citing more than a century of tradition, the order says playoff expansion and other postseason games risk encroaching on the second Saturday in December, historically reserved for the Army–Navy matchup. It states that “no college football game, specifically college football’s CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game.”

The FCC chair is also told to consider whether broadcast licensees’ “public interest obligations” would support the game being treated as a national service event. The document repeatedly notes implementation must be consistent with existing law and does not create enforceable rights.

What this could mean:

• Scheduling: If followed, the College Football Playoff and any December bowls would need to avoid the Army–Navy window, typically mid‑afternoon Saturday in the U.S. (Sunday morning NZT).
• Media rights: Rights holders and schedule-makers — led by ESPN for the CFP — may have to rework programming grids for that weekend.
• Regulatory reach: Most postseason college games air on pay TV or streaming, which are not governed by FCC broadcast licensing, narrowing how much leverage the commission can exert. The order largely relies on coordination rather than a hard mandate.

The order refers to the Army–Navy Game as a “morale‑building event of vital interest to the Department of War,” and assigns that department the cost of publication. It also instructs the FCC to “consider reviewing” licensee obligations rather than directing any specific enforcement action.

There was no immediate public response from the CFP, NCAA or major rights holders. The order sets out no timeline, beyond instructing agencies to begin coordinating with organisers and broadcasters.