Netflix Eyes Premier League Rights Amid Growing Competition

omidbasir- Netflix has made significant strides in the realm of live sports, investing approximately £4 billion ($5 billion) in WWE, alongside streaming major boxing events. Following Paramount’s recent acquisition of Champions League rights in the United Kingdom for a reported £1 billion ($1.3 billion), Netflix is anticipated to challenge Sky and TNT for domestic Premier League contracts, as reported by The Times.

Additionally, Netflix is expected to compete with NBC for the American rights to the English top-flight league. According to reports, the current domestic broadcasting deals are set to expire in 2029, while NBC’s contract is due to end a year earlier, valued at $2 billion (£1.5 billion), making it the Premier League’s largest overseas agreement. Bidding for the upcoming rights packages is anticipated within the next year.

A source informed The Times, “The key takeaway for football—both at the European level and within domestic leagues—is that Netflix has demonstrated a genuine interest in acquiring broadcasting rights. Coupled with Paramount’s entry into the market, this is promising news for football as it fosters increased competition for these rights. The Premier League stands out as the most appealing domestic league globally, making it a primary target for both Netflix and Paramount.”

UEFA has welcomed the involvement of streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney into the broadcasting arena. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin expressed the organization’s commitment to innovation in media rights during the European Football Clubs General Assembly in October. He stated, “Through this joint venture, the game will experience growth. Partnering with [marketing agency] Relevent equips us with a formidable team to realize our vision. Together, we aspire to create something unique and ambitious, delivering the most engaging and accessible football experience. Our goal is to broaden revenue streams and inspire new fans to engage with our competitions, especially in an evolving media and streaming rights environment. By optimizing digital platforms, we aim to bring the game closer to everyone, thereby fortifying our clubs and maintaining European football’s premier status.”

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