The Six Nations is preparing for Netflix’s curtain call amid fears the streaming giant will be pulled out of rugby’s annual competition.
series 2 full contact It is due to premiere in Rome this month, but there is a sense of resignation that Series 3 will not take place.
The high-flying documentary could become a victim of a shift in strategy at Netflix, which is now pouring its budget into live sporting events.
They are yet to officially confirm their stance for the Six Nations, but a film crew is not expected to join the team at next week’s squad announcement. This is an important indicator of how the wind is blowing.
The squad must accommodate significant demands from its creators. full contactBut they don’t expect to get together for a pre-tournament training camp in less than two weeks.
This would be a huge blow to a sport that has not seen the same improvement that Formula One has experienced since the launch of its hit title. Drive to Survive.
The story behind the Six Nations will be re-aired on Netflix in the coming weeks.
A second series of Full Contact is due to air soon, but there are fears a third series will not be produced.
When the first series was released, I was frustrated by limited access. full contact was filmed in 2023, but much more is expected to be revealed in the upcoming second edition.
box to box filmThe series’ creators are said to be happy with Series 2, but Netflix is unlikely to commission Series 3 unless there is a significant U-turn.
And it comes as the streaming giant shifts its focus from the world of sports to live events. The blockbuster live stream of the boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in November attracted a global audience, reaching a peak of 65 million on Netflix.
The live broadcast record for the NFL Christmas doubleheader, which drew a total of 61 million viewers, continued to decline. monday night live Wrestling and won U.S. rights to show the Soccer Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
Brandon Riegg, Vice President of Netflix, spoke to US media about the success of the live sports project, saying, “The number of people who tuned in was beyond anything we could have predicted or imagined.
‘I think a lot of the challenge with sports leagues is that if you’re a partner in helping to grow it, there’s always the risk that at some point, at the end of your term, someone else will come in and take over the deal. . It’s different from our scripted shows. for example, black dove It’ll be on Netflix forever.
‘What appealed to us about the NFL was that it was a one-day game. It was a holiday. It felt like an event and a moment that stood out. “We’re going to make Christmas special,” the NFL said. “Do you want to try it with us?” And we felt we could help. And that’s a much more disciplined and focused approach than simply saying, “We’re in sports.”
Netflix is expected to focus on live events after streaming the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight.
The NFL Christmas doubleheader was also a huge success for Netflix, with pop sensation Beyoncé (above) performing at halftime in her hometown of Houston, Texas.
Monday Night Raw is also now on Netflix after WWE signed a deal with the streaming giant.
‘As with everything, we remain kind of open and opportunistic. We’re looking for events that have high viewership, buzz, and generate a lot of conversation. And we are learning as we go. Between the fights, the NFL, and WWE Raw, we’ll definitely be testing the sports audience. For more traditional sports it will depend on what opportunities are available.’
With Six Nations broadcast rights due to be renewed after this year’s tournament, it will be interesting to see whether Netflix will be willing to bid.
The bidding process has already begun, with the BBC’s traditional rivals at risk due to shrinking budgets.
Organizers are understood to be open to sharing rights between free-to-air and subscription channels, but no decision has yet been made.
BBC lost to talkSPORT.
TalkSPORT has beaten the BBC to secure radio rights to this summer’s Lions tour of Australia.
The broadcaster will fill a key breakfast slot due to the 11-hour time difference, with James Haskell on the commentary team and having previously won the rights for the 2021 tour of South Africa when no fans were allowed to travel due to coronavirus.
The Wallabies series will be broadcast on Sky Sports, but the Lions are yet to announce a broadcaster for the friendly against Argentina in Dublin on June 20.
They are understood to be interested in a free-to-air broadcast platform for the game, with Channel 4 among potential bidders.
TalkSPORT has acquired the radio rights to Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions as they head to Australia.
Northampton flanker Henry Pollock (pictured) has enjoyed a breakthrough season at club level.
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Teenage flanker Henry Pollock was the most surprising face at England’s readjustment meeting at Twickenham on Monday.
The 19-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough senior season at Northampton, helping England win the Under-20 World Cup. He was part of a 36-man group that did not include Sale players in South Africa for this week’s Champions Cup.
Pollock is regarded as one of England’s brightest young talents, but his invitation to the meeting day does not necessarily mean he will join the Six Nations squad – a more likely scenario being his participation in the summer’s tour of Argentina.
Wales wants Cracknell
Wales selectors have been in contact with Leicester as they consider a Six Nations call-up to keep Ollie Cracknell out of England’s clutches.
The No 8 is suitable for both and was not restricted when he was previously called up to Warren Gatland’s training camp.
The WRU’s strength and conditioning staff are understood to have been in contact with each of Leicester’s team-mates ahead of next week’s squad announcement.
Leicester manager Michael Cheika said following Cracknell’s man-of-the-match performance in Saturday’s 28-15 win over Exeter. ‘He’s probably one of the best back-rowers in England at the moment.’
Pollock has already featured at youth level for England and could now be called up for the Six Nations.
Wales want to avoid losing Olly Cracknell (right) to England before the Six Nations.
Haffar is heading to Leicester.
Northampton’s England forward Tarek Haffar is set to move across the East Midlands divide to Leicester.
The prop, who joined the Saints when London Irish went bust in 2023, is understood to be finalizing the terms of a move to Welford Road.
