5 to broadcast NFL games free-to-air in UK

The deal will include two Sunday evening games broadcast during the season. The first will be at 6pm on 5 and the second will be at 9pm on 5Action. The latter will be branded as 5NFL for game nights. Both games will be streamed live. 

The broadcaster will also show the Super Bowl free-to-air in the UK. In addition, it will broadcast NFL London and Dublin international games, as well as Thanksgiving Day specials and three playoff games. 

NFL coverage on 5 will be hosted by Dermot O’Leary, with Sam Quek and double-Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora.  

5 is also partnering with entertainment producer Hungry Bear Media on a new play-along entertainment format, NFL: Big Game Night, which will air around the 6pm games. This is designed to appeal to a Sunday early-evening family audience. 

Sky Sports has pay-TV rights to NFL in the UK market.   

Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at Paramount UK, said: “5 continues to grow its sport offering and this partnership with the NFL represents a real step forward, bringing fans and families live games in primetime, all completely free-to-air. NFL: Big Game Night is a bold new format that brings the thrill of live sport together with the fun of play-along entertainment.” 

Gerrit Meier, Managing Director and Head of NFL International, added: “This new partnership with 5 and Paramount UK marks a significant step in bringing more NFL coverage on a weekly basis to the UK than ever before.”      

The UK’s Channel 5 and My5 recently relaunched as 5, uniting the broadcaster’s linear and streaming platforms under one brand. Discover more here.