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Netflix spent £14 million on a 40‑episode daily World Cup series, launching a Times Square set and hiring 150 staff – see why the investment matters for sports
The Rest Is Football, Netflix’s daily World Cup series, cost the streamer £14 million for a 40‑episode run that will air through July 19, the tournament final, positioning Netflix as a regular sports‑content player despite lacking live‑match rights [3].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Investment | £14 million |
| Episodes | 40 daily episodes |
| Run dates | Through July 19 (World Cup final) |
| Production staff | 150 people |
Netflix filmed the show in a Times Square loft overlooking an Old Navy and Popeyes, turning the UK‑based podcast into a video‑first “show.” The series drops each morning at 6 a.m. London time and is available on‑demand thereafter, with audio versions released three times a week [3]. A staff of 150 produces the content, blending pre‑produced segments from team training sites with on‑the‑ground reporter hits, all without any live match footage or highlights due to rights restrictions [3].
The £14 million outlay signals Netflix’s intent to embed itself in the global sports conversation, using cost‑effective podcast‑to‑video conversions as a foothold. Goalhanger Podcasts, the production house behind the series, was recently ranked Britain’s fastest‑growing company and has attracted investment from The Chernin Group to expand its U.S. reach [3]. By delivering daily analysis and personality‑driven content, Netflix challenges traditional broadcasters that rely on live‑rights moats, a trend highlighted by the show’s success during the 2024 Euros where video viewership surpassed audio [3].
Other digital platforms are also pursuing sports‑adjacent content: YouTube and TikTok secured FIFA deals for live clips, Apple revived its soccer podcast with high‑profile hosts, and Fox continues to air live games. Netflix’s approach—high‑budget, daily video series without live rights—offers a distinct, lower‑cost alternative that could influence how streaming services allocate sports budgets moving forward [3].
Netflix’s £14 million investment underscores a shift toward personality‑driven sports content that sidesteps traditional broadcast rights, raising questions about how streaming services will balance cost, rights, and fan engagement in future tournaments.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Jul 9, 2026 · How we report
Netflix was founded on August 29, 1997, by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California.
Netflix launched its streaming service, called "Watch Now," in January 2007, initially offering around 1,000 titles.
As of 2026, Netflix has 325 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries.
By 2022, original productions accounted for about half of Netflix's library in the United States.
Netflix has expanded into video game publishing for mobile games through its flagship service.