Netflix Ventures into Live Sports with NFL Streaming

In January, ESPN acquired the NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and cable/satellite rights to NFL RedZone. This move left questions about the future of several leading sports media figures.

High-profile personalities like Ian Rapaport and Kyle Brandt retained their positions. However, many others, including Tom Pelissero, Ryan Clark, Charles Davis, Stephania Bell, Damien Woody, Cam Newton, and Bart Scott, faced layoffs during ESPN’s recent staffing cuts.

Despite this, Tom Pelissero swiftly secured a new role, aligning with the upcoming football season. He joined Netflix Gameday as a sideline reporter and NFL insider. His debut will be during the 49ers vs. Rams game in Melbourne.

According to an announcement on X, Pelissero will also co-host The Ringer NFL Show and participate in The Ringer’s NFL podcasts. This includes a weekly segment on The Bill Simmons Podcast. The Ringer’s video podcasts are accessible on Netflix.

Netflix aims to strengthen its presence in the live sports streaming market. Integrating a former top NFL insider like Pelissero plays a crucial role in this strategy. The company plans to stream five NFL regular-season games in 2026, targeting its 325 million paid subscribers. It seeks to broaden its sports offerings to become a favored platform for professional sports.

The full 2026 Netflix NFL schedule is as follows:

• Week 1: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, 8:35 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 10
• Week 12: Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams, Thanksgiving Eve, 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Nov. 25
• Week 16: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET, Christmas Day Doubleheader, Friday, Dec. 25
• Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos, 4:30 p.m. ET, Christmas Day Doubleheader, Friday, Dec. 25
• Week 18: TBD regular-season finale, 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Jan. 9