Netflix Wins FIFA Women's World Cup Broadcast Rights

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Above: A Spanish player holds the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy at Stadium Australia on Aug. 20, 2023, in Sydney. Image copyright: Cameron Spencer/Staff/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

The Facts

  • Netflix has secured exclusive US broadcasting rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cups, marking the first time the tournament will be broadcast entirely on a streaming platform.

  • The 2027 tournament will be hosted in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, featuring 32 teams. The host for the 2031 edition remains undecided.

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The Spin

Narrative A

This deal represents FIFA's most significant partnership with a streaming service for a major tournament. It's a landmark moment for sports media rights and highlights the growing commercial value of women's soccer. This pact will revolutionize how major tournaments are broadcast, providing unprecedented access to millions of viewers through innovative streaming technology.

World Soccer Talk

Narrative B

Technical challenges with recent live sports broadcasts raise concerns about Netflix's ability to deliver reliable streaming for high-demand events, potentially risking viewer experience during crucial matches. Moreover, a departure from the concept of World Cups being free-to-air on public networks undervalues the game and forbids it from reaching as big an audience as possible.

Daily Mail

Metaculus Prediction