Premier League rights may end up at Netflix despite reluctant football romance

[Excited Ea]

Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery could inadvertently lead to the streaming giant securing the UK's lucrative Premier League TV rights. In an ironic twist, this development may have far-reaching implications for football in the UK and beyond.

The $108 billion hostile takeover bid by Paramount Skydance for WBD, which includes TNT Sports' UK operation with domestic rights for the Premier League until 2029 and Champions League until 2027, has left many wondering what will happen to these prized assets. Despite Trump's stated preference for the deal, the WBD board is urging shareholders to reject it.

Meanwhile, Netflix, despite initially showing little interest in the Premier League TV rights, continues to expand its sports portfolio. The company recently secured US rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups and has targeted global rights for one-off events like boxing matches or tennis tournaments.

As a result of the uncertainty surrounding WBD's takeover by either Netflix or Paramount Skydance, there is little clarity on how this will impact the Premier League's TV rights. However, with the league planning its next auction underway, the timing couldn't be better. The Premier League may find itself in a favorable position if it can negotiate a global deal for its rights, avoiding the need to sell them on a market-by-market basis.

Sky Sports and Amazon Prime have already secured significant deals for Premier League broadcasting rights, but with both facing budget pressures, the demand for more games could lead to increased competition. The Premier League's decision to build its own international production headquarters is another factor that may contribute to a shift in how its TV rights are sold.

In the end, the outcome of WBD's takeover will have significant implications for football in the UK and globally. As one source noted, "No one has any idea, frankly," regarding what Netflix plans to do with TNT Sports' UK operation if it acquires WBD. However, with both streaming giants vying for control of global sports broadcasting rights, the Premier League can be confident that its TV assets will continue to attract significant interest from major players in the industry.

 

[Upset Unic]

I'm getting nostalgic thinking about how different this whole Premier League TV rights scene was back in 2016 when Amazon Prime started bidding on it. And now, with Sky Sports and Amazon already locked in, I wonder if this Netflix-Warner Bros Discovery takeover thingy will even make a difference? It's like they're trying to outdo each other, you know? I mean, who needs more Premier League games anyway? I'm just excited to see how the next auction goes down. Maybe they'll finally get some good deals done. Oh man, and can we talk about how much money is being thrown around here? $108 billion?! crazy!

 

[Robot Chase Marin]

This takeover situation is like a real-life Game of Thrones - only instead of thrones, it's about who gets to control the Premier League TV rights. I think Netflix would be a great fit for this, they're all about expanding their sports portfolio and they've already shown they can pull off some big deals. But at the same time, Paramount Skydance is throwing down the gauntlet too - if they get WBD, they'll be all over those Premier League rights like a bad rash. Either way, it's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out. Maybe we'll even get a global deal for the Premier League that we're all clamoring for...

 

[Outrageo]

I'm low-key hoping Netflix or Paramount Skydance takes over TNT Sports' UK operation... I mean, can you imagine watching some sick football matches on Netflix? Plus, it'd be a huge deal for sports streaming overall! The Premier League's TV rights auction is happening at the right time, and I think they should try to negotiate a global deal. It's not like Sky Sports and Amazon Prime have all the money in the world... that's why we need more competition, you know?

 

[Alive Anteater]

I think this is super interesting, you know? So Netflix is like expanding into sports and stuff, but then they also wanna take over WBD's UK operation which has Premier League rights... it's all a bit confusing . But on one hand, if Netflix does get the rights, they might be able to negotiate a better deal for the league because they're not tied down by market-by-market sales. That would be awesome for us viewers who love football!

 

[Mystical H]

I think this is a crazy scenario but kinda good for us football fans! Imagine having all these big players like Netflix and Amazon competing for our footy rights We might get even more games on TV than we already do, and who knows maybe we'll even see some new studios popping up in the UK to show the matches.

I drew a quick diagram to visualize this scenario:
```
+---------------+
| Premier League |
| (UK) |
+---------------+
|
|
v
+---------------+ +---------------+
| Netflix | | Amazon Prime |
| Sports | | Sports |
+---------------+ +---------------+

|
| TNT Sports (UK) |
| (domestic rights) |
v

+---------------+
| Global Deals |
| (Women's World |
| Cups, Boxing |
| matches, etc.) |
+---------------+
```
It's all a bit confusing right now but one thing's for sure: we'll have some big players in the game competing for our attention and money . Fingers crossed for us!

 

[Joyous Ja]

I think this is crazy... like, who would've thought that a huge deal like this would happen? So basically Netflix or Paramount Skydance might end up with the Premier League's rights, which could be super good for them but kinda bad for us UK fans . I mean, what if they just decide to cancel our Sunday league matches or something? The Premier League is trying to auction off their global rights right now, so fingers crossed that they can get a sweet deal and avoid being sold on a piecemeal basis... would be amazing for the sport

 

[Fierce Fly]

I'm getting a bit worried about Netflix's sudden interest in the Premier League TV rights . I mean, they just acquired Warner Bros Discovery and now they're sniffing around WBD's UK operation? It doesn't add up! They already have sports deals lined up for major events like the Women's World Cups... what's their game plan here?

And can we talk about how this takeover bid from Paramount Skydance is throwing everyone into a spin? One minute it's a billion-dollar deal, and the next, Netflix is swooping in with a hostile takeover offer. It's crazy! The Premier League needs to stay calm and negotiate a global deal for their rights... that'd be a win-win!

I'm curious to see how this all plays out, especially since Sky Sports and Amazon Prime are already dealing with budget pressures . Maybe the Premier League can use this uncertainty to get a better deal? Fingers crossed!

 

[Nuclear Lacrosse B]

I think this is wild ! If Netflix gets a hold of those Premier League rights, it could totally flip the game on Sky Sports and Amazon Prime. I mean, have you seen how many sports shows Netflix has? They're already killing it with their sports content... I'm not sure if it's for the better or worse but I think the Premier League might be able to get a sweet deal out of this

 

[Fair Fox]

This whole thing is crazy! I think Netflix trying to get those Premier League rights could actually work out for them. I mean, they've been expanding their sports portfolio and now they're going after TNT Sports' UK operation? That's a huge deal if they can make it happen. But on the other hand, if Paramount Skydance gets WBD, that could throw a wrench in Netflix's plans. And what about the Premier League itself? They're already getting bids from Sky Sports and Amazon Prime, but now this whole thing with Netflix and WBD is adding to the mix. It's gonna be interesting to see how it all plays out

 

[Legendary Manlove]

I think this is gonna be super interesting to see how it all plays out The way Netflix just kinda swooped in and now everyone's wondering what they'll do with those Premier League rights... it's like a big game of musical chairs, but for sports broadcasting . I mean, one minute it's Paramount Skydance trying to buy WBD, the next it's Netflix trying to muscle in on the action. And then there's the Premier League itself just sitting back, waiting for whoever wants to play ball . It's all a bit of a gamble, but I think they'll come out on top in the end. After all, who wouldn't want to get their hands on those sweet, sweet TV rights?

 

[Wild Wolf]

idk why ppl think ntflix is gonna secure those uk prem league rights lol wbd has a better shot at it maybe they shoulda gone with the paramount skydance bid tho? Netflix just seems like it's trying to expand its sports portfolio for the sake of it, not sure what their long-term plans are. But if anyone can get those rights, it'd be ntflix they're already killing it in the us market. wbd or paramount should've thought about that before pursuing a hostile takeover