Netflix’s Strategic Move into Live Sports: A Game Changer for Football Broadcasting

Netflix is proactively expanding its live sports offerings, having invested nearly £4 billion ($5 billion) in acquiring rights for WWE and streaming high-profile boxing matches. Following Paramount’s recent acquisition of Champions League rights in the UK for around £1 billion ($1.3 billion), Netflix is poised to challenge Sky and TNT in the race for domestic Premier League contracts, as reported by The Times.

Furthermore, Netflix is expected to compete with NBC for the American broadcasting rights to the English Premier League. The current domestic agreements are set to expire in 2029, while NBC’s contract will conclude a year earlier. This deal, valued at $2 billion (£1.5 billion), represents the Premier League’s largest international agreement. Bidding for the upcoming rights packages is anticipated in the next year.

A source conveyed to The Times: “The significant development for football—across both European and domestic leagues—is Netflix’s newfound interest in acquiring broadcasting rights. Coupled with Paramount’s entry into the market, this influx of competition is promising for football as it enhances the prospects for rights acquisition. Given that the Premier League is the most appealing domestic league globally, securing some of its broadcasting rights is a likely objective for both Netflix and Paramount.”

Last month, UEFA expressed enthusiasm about the involvement of companies like Netflix and Disney in the broadcasting arena. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the organization’s dedication to innovation in media rights during his address at the European Football Clubs General Assembly in October.

He stated, “Through this joint venture, the game will flourish. With [marketing agency] Relevent by our side, we are establishing a formidable team to make this a reality. Together, we are crafting something extraordinary, with ambition. Our goal is to deliver the most engaging, innovative, and accessible football experience. We aim to broaden our core revenue streams and inspire new fans to engage with our competitions. This initiative is especially crucial in a dynamic media and streaming rights landscape. By leveraging digital platforms, we will bring the game closer to everyone, thereby reinforcing our clubs and maintaining European football’s prominent status.”

Netflix has previously achieved notable success in streaming live sports, drawing an audience of 65 million viewers for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in 2024. While the streaming platform currently holds rights for the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 in the United States, it remains uncertain whether it will secure rights for men’s football.