Netflix Launches Full‑Season ‘The Rest is Football’

New Weekly Football Show Starts Next Month

Netflix has ordered the entire season of “The Rest is Football,” which will roll out from next month with two episodes each week—Monday and Friday instalments. The series is fronted by Gary Lineker, who teams up with former top scorers Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, and occasionally welcomes guest commentators like Gordon Ramsay. This show joins the existing stable of “The Rest is Politics” and “The Rest is History” under Goalhanger Entertainment. It follows a bright Times Square studio set that Lineker highlighted as a perk over the BBC’s Salford base.

Key Contributors and Guests

The lineup includes the former “Match of the Day” host, now leading the analysis, alongside Shearer, a celebrated striker, and Richards, the ex‑Manchester City defender. Guests have ranged from culinary celebrity Gordon Ramsay to other occasional soccer personalities. Their combined experience aims to provide fresh perspectives on Premier League action.

Studio, Broadcasting and Background

Episodes were taped during the recent World Cup in a bright Times Square studio, a location Lineker joked about when contrasting it with the BBC’s Salford studio. He left the BBC amid controversy after posting an Instagram video that sparked backlash. The New York setting underscores Netflix’s push into live‑sport programming. The show is part of a broader daily sports strategy after the streamer greenlit its first daily sports programme.

Ratings and Audience Reaction

While the series was well received by critics, it has not become a top‑rated hit. The highest‑viewed episode ranks 40th on Netflix UK’s most‑watched list for the past week, attracting roughly 170,000 viewers. This places it behind the BBC’s “Football Daily” podcast in the same period. Netflix executives had warned that massive ratings were not expected, emphasizing quality over quantity.

Netflix’s Expanding Sports Portfolio

This launch fits into Netflix’s recent surge in sports content, which now includes docs on José Mourinho, Tyson Fury and Jamie Vardy. The streamer is capitalizing on the growing appetite for sports storytelling across its platform. The addition of a weekly football analysis show signals a strategic bet on the Premier League’s global fanbase. Going forward, further sports productions are likely as the service competes for live‑event relevance.