Netflix Expands Its Presence in Live Sports Broadcasting

Netflix has embarked on a strategic initiative to enhance its portfolio of live sports, investing nearly £4 billion ($5 billion) in WWE and streaming prominent boxing matches. Following Paramount’s acquisition of Champions League rights in the UK for an estimated £1 billion ($1.3 billion), Netflix is poised to compete with Sky and TNT for domestic Premier League contracts, as reported by The Times.

The streaming giant is also anticipated to challenge NBC for the American rights to the English Premier League. According to reports, the existing domestic deals will conclude in 2029, while NBC’s contract will expire a year earlier. This deal is valued at approximately $2 billion (£1.5 billion) and is recognized as the Premier League’s largest overseas agreement, with bids for upcoming packages expected in the next year.

A source disclosed to The Times: “The significant development for football—both in European and domestic leagues—is that Netflix has indicated its interest in acquiring rights for the first time. Coupled with Paramount’s entry into the market, this is favorable news for football, as it leads to increased competition for rights. The Premier League is the most attractive domestic league globally, making it a prime target for both Netflix and Paramount.”

Moreover, last month, UEFA expressed its openness to new broadcasters such as Netflix and Disney joining the sports media landscape. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the organization’s commitment to innovation in media rights during the European Football Clubs General Assembly in October, stating: “Through this joint venture, the game will expand. With [marketing agency] Relevent alongside us, we possess the strongest team to bring this vision to life. Together, we are constructing something unique with ambition, aimed at delivering the most engaging, innovative, and accessible football experience. Our goal is to expand our core revenue streams, attract new fans to our competitions, and enhance engagement with new audiences, particularly within the evolving media and streaming rights environment. By maximizing digital platforms, we will bring the game closer to everyone, thus fortifying our clubs and maintaining European football’s premier status.”

Netflix has previously demonstrated success in streaming live sporting events, notably attracting 65 million viewers for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in 2024. The streaming service currently holds rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 in the United States, but it remains uncertain whether it will secure rights for men’s football.