A decade-long courtship between the Premier League and Netflix could reach an unexpected conclusion, not through a direct deal, but as a byproduct of one of the largest corporate takeovers in media history. The streaming giant, which has repeatedly turned down offers for football rights, may end up controlling them in the UK by acquiring the owner of TNT Sports.
The $100bn Battle for Broadcasting's Future
The landscape of global media and sports broadcasting is being redrawn by a colossal takeover struggle. In early December, Netflix struck an $82.7bn deal to purchase Warner Bros Discovery's (WBD) studio and streaming businesses. This move was swiftly countered just before Christmas when Paramount Skydance made a hostile $108.4bn offer directly to WBD shareholders for the entire company, including its news and sports networks.
While the US government's regulatory approval will be a key factor, and political figures like Donald Trump may focus on the fate of CNN, the outcome holds profound implications for British football fans. Netflix's proposed acquisition specifically includes TNT Sports' UK operation, which currently holds the domestic broadcast rights for the Premier League until 2029 and for the UEFA Champions League until 2027.
A Reluctant Suitor and a Changing Game
For almost ten years, the Premier League has tailored packages of matches specifically for streaming services, hoping to attract Netflix. While Amazon Prime Video entered the fray, securing two rounds of matches per season from 2019 to 2025, Netflix remained on the sidelines. Its interest in premium live sports rights has been cautious, preferring global rights for one-off events like exhibition boxing or the 'Six Kings Slam' tennis in Saudi Arabia.
However, a significant shift occurred last year when Netflix secured US rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups, marking its first complete tournament acquisition. This move away from its pure global-rights model is seen as a positive signal for league-based sports like the Premier League.
The timing is critical. The Premier League is already planning for its next domestic rights auction post-2029. Furthermore, discussions with the EFL about scrapping the traditional Saturday 3pm TV blackout are scheduled for early this year, potentially making every match available for broadcast from the 2029/30 season onwards.
Uncertainty and Opportunity in the Broadcast Stable
Inside WBD's European offices, uncertainty reigns. "No one has any idea, frankly," a source revealed, highlighting the anxiety surrounding the takeover and its impact on their business. Should Netflix succeed and inherit TNT Sports UK, it would instantly become a major player in UK sports broadcasting.
This comes when traditional broadcasters like Sky Sports face budgetary pressures from their parent company, Comcast. The Premier League's development of its own international production headquarters in West London has sparked speculation it could eventually sell matches directly to consumers. However, bringing a deep-pocketed global streamer like Netflix into the "broadcast stable" is currently viewed as a more secure and welcome outcome for the league.
Ultimately, Netflix's historic reluctance to spend billions on football rights may be circumvented by a mega-deal conceived in Hollywood boardrooms. The future of how Britons watch the beautiful game now hinges on a corporate clash of titans, promising a potential revolution in sports streaming.
