Channel Five to air NFL games for free but with a gameshow twist
Channel 5 is to show NFL games on free-to-air TV from next weekend - but is combining them with an in-match gameshow hosted by Dermot O’Leary.
Sports fans will be delighted to learn they can now watch two Sunday evening games; the first at 6pm on 5 and the second at 9pm on 5ACTION – which will be branded as 5NFL for game nights. Both games will also be streamed live.
The broadcaster will also show the Super Bowl free-to-air in the UK. In addition, it will broadcast NFL London and Dublin international games, as well as Thanksgiving Day specials and three playoff games.
But the most surprising thing about the announcement was it will will include a new “play-along entertainment format” aimed at attracting family audiences.
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Described as a completely new way to enjoy NFL, each week, Dermot will be joined by Sam Quek and double-Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora in a purpose-built studio for an entertainment format that runs alongside the big NFL Game of the Week at 6pm on 5.
Whenever the NFL game stops in the US, 5 will keep going with fun and games in the form of the unique ‘game within a game’.
Two teams of friends and family in the UK will battle for prizes in a series of games that are fast, furious and fun. They will be representing the two teams playing that night and can only score points when their team has the ball. The winning team on the night will play one final game where they have the chance to win a holiday to an NFL city in the United States.
NFL: Big Game Night will be made from the team behind Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel and Big Show and Gladiators.
After the first match has finished, at 9pm the second game of the night will be hosted by Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora for more conventional football discussion, game analysis and commentary.
They will be joined by special guests each week as they get into the heart of the action and give fans the games and insight they love.
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.”
And Osi Umenyiora added: “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.”
The fun will kick off on 5 and 5ACTION from Sunday September 7, from 5.30pm.
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.”
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