NFL lands on Channel 5 with new broadcast deal
The National Football League (NFL) has agreed a new multi-year, free-to-air broadcast partnership in the UK with Channel 5 and Paramount UK.
The deal will see two live Sunday evening games broadcast each week of the NFL season. The first game will air on Channel 5, with the second at 21:00 on 5ACTION, which will be rebranded as 5NFL on game nights.
The agreement also includes free-to-air coverage of Super Bowl LX, the NFL London and Dublin Games, Thanksgiving Day specials, and three playoff games.
As part of the partnership, Channel 5 will launch a new entertainment show, ‘NFL: Big Game Night’, hosted by Dermot O’Leary, Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora. Produced by Hungry Bear Media, the show will air from 17:30 and feature a play-along format aimed at a family audience, running alongside the 18:00 game. The broadcast will feature more in-depth game analysis and commentary.
The wider partnership with Paramount will also see the return of the children’s NFL show, *Slimetime UK*, to Nickelodeon in 2026.
Dermot O’Leary said, “I’m really excited about hosting Big Game Night – the show combines two of my big loves: entertainment television and American football. I think it will be a really fun, silly and brilliant way to watch the game so I hope people enjoy it.”
Sam Quek said, “I can’t wait to kick off this new adventure with the NFL on 5! Sharing that excitement every Sunday night with Dermot and Osi is going to be brilliant. The mix of top-class sport and big entertainment is the perfect way for families, fans and newcomers to get involved. I’m so excited to get started.”
Osi Umenyiora said, “The NFL is growing faster than ever in the UK and I’m thrilled to continue playing a part in that expansion by bringing it to a new home on 5. These shows will give returning fans the insight they love while introducing viewers to the excitement of the game. It’s incredible to see the NFL becoming a truly global sport and inspiring more fans than ever.”
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