Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer to present World Cup on Netflix
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer are set to become Netflix’s primary World Cup presenters, broadcasting from a specially constructed studio high above Times Square in New York, reports BritPanorama.
The streaming giant has secured a deal worth approximately £14 million for 40 daily episodes of The Rest Is Football during the tournament.
Six-time Emmy winner Joe Celli, known for his work on the Oscars, is creating the set, which will feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the vibrant Manhattan location and crowds of supporters below.
Micah Richards, the third regular host, will contribute from Salford due to his commitments with the BBC. “He would have loved to have done the World Cup with the BBC, but he’s really pleased we’ve found a way for him to be in New York and part of it,” said Tony Pastor, Lineker’s business partner at Goalhanger.
The Netflix venture places Lineker’s show in direct competition with Gary Neville’s Stick to Football, presented alongside Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher, and Ian Wright. Neville’s team will also be in New York, producing 12 World Cup episodes alongside their ITV duties, further intensifying the friendly rivalry.
This competitive landscape has led to playful banter, with Richards joking about “podcast wars” after Carragher’s comment that The Rest Is Football was “the podcast that no one listens to.” Lineker countered, saying he could not recall the name of their competitors’ programme.
Despite Netflix lacking rights to broadcast tournament goals, episodes of The Rest Is Football will be entirely conversation-driven, aiming for a more engaging experience. Goalhanger has recruited Rob Jones, known for his work with Sky Sports, to cover England, while multilingual presenter Alex Aljoe will serve as a roving reporter from various locations.
Episodes will last between 45 and 60 minutes and will be pre-recorded late in the American evening to include reactions from matches. “It’s going to take on some of the trappings of high-end TV,” Pastor explained.
Among the early episodes will feature footage of Lineker’s return to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, where he played and scored during the legendary 1986 “Hand of God” match against Argentina, marking his first visit in 40 years.
Netflix approached Goalhanger seeking to retain viewers during major football tournaments, as audiences typically shift from streaming services to live coverage. Pastor noted, “Netflix don’t have a way to entirely capture that audience because, of course, they don’t have the live games.” The aim is to provide daily offerings to give audiences a reason to engage throughout the tournament.
The show’s appeal surged during Euro 2024, particularly after Lineker’s candid remark about England, which sparked widespread media discussion and was referenced in press conferences with Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane.
As the footballing world anticipates the upcoming tournament, the competition between these leading media figures will create an intriguing narrative, demonstrating how the evolution of sports media continues to unfold in a rapidly changing landscape.
