Channel 5 brings NFL games free-to-air to the UK

Paramount UK and the US National Football League (NFL), in partnership with CBS Sports, have announced a new multi-year agreement that will bring weekly live NFL coverage to free-to-air television in the UK.

Beginning this season, Channel 5 will broadcast two Sunday evening games each week, with additional coverage across Paramount’s media portfolio.

Under the deal, Channel 5 will air a 6pm kickoff game, followed by a 9pm match on its sister channel 5ACTION, which will be rebranded as 5NFL on game nights. Both games will also be available via live stream. The agreement includes rights to broadcast the Super Bowl, NFL London and Dublin games, Thanksgiving Day specials, and three playoff matchups.

To complement the live coverage, Channel 5 is launching a new entertainment format titled NFL: Big Game Night, produced by Hungry Bear Media. Hosted by Dermot O’Leary, alongside Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora, the show will begin at 5:30pm and run alongside the 6pm game. The format features interactive segments where UK-based teams of friends and families compete in games tied to the live NFL action, with the chance to win prizes including a trip to an NFL city in the United States.

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

The initiative is part of a broader effort to expand NFL viewership in the UK. “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,” said Gerrit Meier, Managing Director and Head of NFL International.

Additional programming will support the partnership across Paramount’s brands, including the return of Slimetime UK on Nickelodeon in 2026, produced by Paramount Brand Studio International.

The 2025 NFL season kicks off on September 5, with the first Sunday double-header airing shortly after. Coverage will be supported by a nationwide marketing campaign aimed at engaging both longtime fans and newcomers to the sport.