Dermot O Leary to host Channel 5 NFL magazine show
Channel 5 and Paramount UK have entered into a major multi-year agreement with the National Football League (NFL) and CBS Sports to make live NFL coverage available free-to-air for UK audiences.
As part of the deal, two games will be shown every Sunday evening throughout the season. The first will air at 6pm on Channel 5, followed by a 9pm game on 5ACTION, which will be rebranded as 5NFL on game nights. Both games will also be available to stream live.
The partnership includes coverage of the Super Bowl, NFL London and Dublin international fixtures, Thanksgiving Day matchups, and three playoff games, ensuring viewers can follow key highlights of the season without subscription.
NFL Big Game Night
Coverage begins at 5:30pm each Sunday, fronted by Dermot O’Leary with Sam Quek and former two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora. Alongside the live action, a brand-new entertainment format produced by Hungry Bear Media will run around the 6pm game. Designed as a family-friendly play-along show, NFL: Big Game Night combines live sport with interactive fun.
The format features two UK-based teams of friends or family competing in fast-paced games linked to the live NFL match. Their ability to score points depends on the performance of the team they represent on the field. Winners from each episode will get the chance to play for a grand prize—an American holiday to an NFL city.
Created by the producers of The Wheel, Big Show, and Gladiators, the new format blends world-class sport with lively entertainment to attract both die-hard fans and new audiences.
Paramount UK Brand Support
Programming will be supported across Paramount UK’s wider portfolio. This includes the return of Slimetime UK—a kids and family NFL-themed series on Nickelodeon—set to launch its third season in 2026, produced by Paramount Brand Studio International.
A nationwide marketing campaign will promote the new NFL offering across the Paramount network, highlighting the broadcaster’s growing commitment to sports coverage.
Launch Details
Viewers can tune in from Sunday 7th September, with pre-game coverage beginning at 5:30pm on Channel 5, followed by live games on Channel 5 and 5ACTION/5NFL.