Streaming titan Netflix is reportedly preparing a move for Premier League broadcasting rights, following a significant defeat in the high-stakes battle for Champions League coverage. This potential pivot marks a major strategic shift as the company seeks to establish a firm foothold in the lucrative live sports market.
The European Rights Battle
Netflix's ambitions for live football were made clear when it circled a deal for a share of the prestigious European top-flight rights for the 2027 to 2031 cycle. According to sources, the platform was specifically vying for rights to the UEFA Super Cup and for the German broadcast rights to the Champions League.
However, the streaming behemoth was ultimately outmanoeuvred. Its rival, Paramount+, seized control of the UK rights for the competition in a bumper deal believed to be in excess of £1 billion. This agreement, which came at the expense of long-term broadcasting partners TNT Sports, also covers major European markets including France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
In a separate development, Sky Sports is set to take up the mantle for hosting the Europa League and UEFA Conference League. Netflix is thought to have been directly outbid by Paramount+ for the German rights, while attempts to extricate the Super Cup from the existing rights package proved too challenging.
Netflix's Unabated Sports Ambition
Despite this setback, Netflix's appetite for a move into live sport remains undiminished. The broadcaster is now exploring alternative avenues, including the possibility of taking a slice of Sky Sports' output to position itself among the key rights holders.
Netflix's experience in the sports world has so far been predominantly focused on one-off events. The platform streamed the eye-catching, if controversial, clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson last summer, attracting a massive 65 million viewers. It hopes to build on that success with the former YouTuber's upcoming fight against former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in December.
Other forays include hosting the NFL's Christmas Day games, which drew 26.5 million viewers in the United States and a further 30 million internationally last year, with plans to do so again this year. The company has also tentatively aired events like Saudi Arabia's Six Kings Slam tennis tournament.
The Future Streaming Landscape
In a direct challenge to fellow streamer Amazon Prime, Netflix is believed to be targeting an opening play for the coveted festive football fixtures. This move would signal a serious commitment to capturing the UK's football audience.
Meanwhile, Paramount+, emboldened by its significant Champions League acquisition across Europe, is also thought to be interested in branching out into the English top flight. This intensifying competition presents both a dilemma and an opportunity for fans, who face the prospect of subscribing to yet another streaming service when the new rights cycle begins in two years' time.
The battle for digital sports supremacy is heating up, promising to fundamentally reshape how British audiences consume the beautiful game.
