Home / Business and Economy / Netflix Eyes UK Sports TV Market Domination
Netflix Eyes UK Sports TV Market Domination
23 Dec
Summary
- ITV in talks to sell broadcasting business for £1.6bn.
- Netflix secured rights to 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups.
- Warner Bros Discovery's TNT Sports deal with Netflix is uncertain.
The UK's television sector is poised for a dramatic transformation as ITV engages in preliminary discussions to divest its broadcasting arm to Sky for £1.6 billion. This potential deal underscores the intense pressure on established broadcasters like ITV and Sky from aggressive streaming giants, particularly Netflix, in the competitive media market. The landscape is further complicated by Netflix's growing interest in acquiring live sports rights.
Netflix has already made significant inroads, securing exclusive broadcast rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cups. This acquisition positions Netflix as a major player in sports broadcasting, a move hailed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The company is also exploring partnerships, such as its deal to produce the video game for the 2026 World Cup and its acquisition of Gary Lineker's podcast for the upcoming men's World Cup.
Adding another layer of complexity, Netflix has agreed to purchase the streaming and studios segment of Warner Bros Discovery, which includes TNT Sports in the UK. However, the exclusion of TNT Sports' US operations from the deal creates uncertainty regarding Netflix's long-term strategy for UK sports broadcasting and its potential integration with existing platforms like TNT Sports.
