streaming giant, Netflix, anticipated to contend for English Premier League broadcasting privileges, according to IMG chief's speculation: "Why wouldn't they?"
Netflix, one of the world's largest media companies, has made a significant move into the live sports broadcasting market. The streaming giant has acquired the rights to several high-profile boxing matches, including Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford, and sports events such as the NFL Christmas Day doubleheader and the next two women's soccer World Cups.
Adam Kelly, the president of IMG, believes that Netflix's entry into sports broadcasting is just the beginning. Speaking at the IMG x RedBird Summit in the U.K., Kelly predicted that Netflix will become part of the trillion dollar club in the future. He also expressed his belief that Netflix is accelerating faster than they thought in terms of live sports broadcasting.
However, Netflix has not yet entered the race for the English Premier League (EPL), considered one of the most coveted sports packages in the world. The EPL broadcast rights are currently split between Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the U.K., with Sky taking the lion's share of 215 matches per season in an overall agreement worth more than $9 billion. The EPL broadcast rights in the U.S. are held by NBC, with a six-year agreement worth $2.7 billion that runs until 2028.
Despite this, Kelly predicts that it's only a matter of time before Netflix joins the fray. He noted that the recent and dramatic arrival of streamers into live sports has proven to be a success and is expected to grow exponentially. The EPL broadcast rights will go back under the hammer at some point, but Netflix still has some time before then.
The success of Netflix in live sports broadcasting is not limited to the EPL. The streaming service has also made waves with its live sports broadcasts on YouTube, setting records for viewership. The Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul bout, which took place in November of the previous year, was a testament to this.
The English Premier League is considered one of the biggest and best sports assets in the world. The fierce competition from CBS and ESPN contributed to the increase in the EPL deal value for NBC. The arrival of Netflix into the sports broadcasting market is expected to further intensify this competition.
In conclusion, Netflix's entry into the live sports broadcasting market is a significant development. While the streaming giant has not yet acquired sports rights to major football leagues such as the English Premier League, its acquisition of high-profile boxing matches and other sports events suggests a strong commitment to this new venture. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Netflix's foray into live sports unfolds.
