Broadcaster Gary Lineker has inked a deal with Netflix, marking a significant shift in the streaming giant's content strategy. The deal will see Netflix host Lineker's podcast, "The Rest is Football," during the 2022 World Cup. This move signifies Netflix's first major venture into football coverage and an expansion of its podcast portfolio, positioning it as a potential rival to YouTube.
Lineker, who was initially slated to lead the World Cup coverage for the BBC, announced his early departure from the corporation in May following an antisemitism row. The former England striker faced significant backlash for sharing a social media post about Zionism that included a rat emoji, historically used as an antisemitic insult. Lineker has since apologised for the incident, stating that he did not see the image and would never consciously repost anything antisemitic.
"The Rest is Football," hosted by Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards, is one of the biggest audio shows in football streaming and currently releases three episodes a week. However, it will run daily on Netflix throughout the World Cup. Lineker expressed his excitement about the deal, stating it was a "fantastic opportunity for the three of us to do what we love - talk football every day - but on a truly global stage".
The show, produced by Goalhanger, will feature game analysis, special guests, interviews, and insights into the world's largest sporting event. It will be filmed in a studio in New York, with reporters dialling in from the England camp and fan zones.
Goalhanger, co-founded by Lineker, also produces other podcasts in "The Rest Is" series, which focus on subjects such as politics, history, entertainment, and money. A version of the show will continue to exist on audio platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts during the World Cup, according to Netflix.
In addition to his Netflix venture, Lineker will host a new ITV game show, "The Box," next year. The show will feature 10 celebrities transported to unexpected locations in giant yellow boxes, tasked with completing challenges upon their release.
Despite the controversy, former Tottenham Hotspur striker Lineker's contribution to sports broadcasting has not gone unnoticed. In September, he was named the best TV presenter at the National Television Awards, ending Ant and Dec's 23-year winning streak.
Gary Lineker's move to Netflix marks a new chapter in his broadcasting career and a significant step for Netflix in expanding its content portfolio. As sports fans and sports betting fans eagerly await the World Cup, "The Rest is Football" promises to deliver engaging and insightful football analysis on a global stage.
