NFL Sets Free-to-Air U.K. Deal with 5

Paramount’s 5 in the U.K. will bring audiences free-to-air, prime-time coverage of live NFL games via a multiyear pact with the National Football League (NFL) and CBS Sports.

Two Sunday evening games will be broadcast every week, the first at 6 p.m. on 5 and the second at 9 p.m. on 5ACTION, which will be branded as 5NFL for game nights. Both games will also be streamed live. The deal also includes the rights to the Super Bowl. The network will also broadcast NFL London and Dublin international games, as well as Thanksgiving Day specials and three playoff games.

Further, 5 is partnering with Hungry Bear Media on a new play-along entertainment format that will air around the 6 p.m. match, NFL: Big Game Night.

The wider Paramount family will also support 5’s NFL coverage, including season three of Slimetime UK on Nickelodeon in 2026, produced by Paramount Brand Studio International.

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 U.K. than ever before. The NFL brings people together, through both a sport and entertainment lens, and the live game coverage and NFL: Big Game Night format will engage fans and invite newcomers to enjoy the sport as we look to continue to grow fandom in the U.K.”

Laura Louisy, the NFL’s director of international business development and media, said: “With free-to-air games every Sunday night at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. plus international games, playoff games and Super Bowl LX, as well as the exciting new entertainment format NFL: Big Game Night, we’re continuing to increase access to NFL content for fans across the U.K.”

Dan Baldwin, managing director at Hungry Bear Media, added: “We are all delighted to team up with 5 and the NFL for Big Game Night. Get ready to watch sport but in a totally new and exciting way. The mixture of American Football and entertainment will be a huge hit with the audience.”