Channel 5’s Historic NFL Deal Brings American Football to UK Primetime

Landmark Partnership Brings NFL to Free-to-Air Television

5 and Paramount UK have announced a significant multi-year partnership with the NFL and CBS Sports to bring live coverage of the NFL season free-to-air to UK viewers. This groundbreaking deal represents a major expansion of NFL coverage in the United Kingdom.

Comprehensive Coverage Package

Under the new agreement, Channel 5 will broadcast two live NFL games every week during the football season. The first game will air at 6 pm on Channel 5, followed by a second game at 9 pm on 5ACTION, which will be branded as 5NFL for game nights. Both broadcasts will be available free-to-air.

The deal also includes rights to broadcast the Super Bowl free-to-air in the UK, along with the annual NFL London and Dublin international games, Thanksgiving Day specials, and three playoff games.

Innovation in Programming

The NFL coverage on Channel 5 will be hosted by Dermot O’Leary alongside Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora. The network is partnering with Hungry Bear Media to create a new play-along entertainment format that will air before the 6 pm games.

Growing NFL’s UK Presence

The 2025-26 season will feature three games in London, with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars as designated teams. The Browns will face the Minnesota Vikings on October 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followed by the Jets against the Denver Broncos the following week. The Jaguars will take on the Los Angeles Rams on October 19 at Wembley Stadium.

According to Gerrit Meier, Managing Director and Head of NFL International, this deal represents a ‘significant step in bringing more NFL coverage on a weekly basis to the UK than ever before.’ Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at Paramount UK, emphasized that this partnership represents a real step forward, bringing fans and families live games in primetime, all completely free-to-air.