The Six Nations is braced for its curtain call on Netflix amid fears the streaming giants will pull out of rugby’s marquee annual competition.
Series two of Full Contact will be premiered in Rome this month but there is a sense of resignation that series three will not happen.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary could be the victim of a change in strategy at Netflix, who are now ploughing their budgets into live sporting events.
They are yet to officially confirm their position on the Six Nations, although film crews are not expected to join up with the teams at next week’s squad announcements, which is a significant indicator of the way the wind is blowing.
Squads would have to accommodate significant demands from the makers of Full Contact, but they are not expecting to when they assemble for their pre-tournament training camps in less than a fortnight.
It would be a major blow for the sport, which has not seen the same uplift that Formula One experienced following the hit release of Drive to Survive.
Behind the scenes coverage of the Six Nations is set to return on Netflix in the coming weeks
A second series of Full Contact about to air, but there are fears a third won’t be commissioned
There were frustrations about limited access when the first series of Full Contact was filmed in 2023 but the upcoming second edition is expected to be far more revealing.
Box to Box Film, the production company behind the series, are understood to be happy with series two but Netflix are unlikely to commission a third unless there is a significant U-turn.
And it comes as the streaming giant shifts its focus in the sporting world to live events. November’s blockbuster live stream of Jake Paul’s boxing fight against Mike Tyson peaked at 65 million on Netflix, attracting audiences around the world.
Records continued to fall for their live broadcast of the NFL Christmas Day double-header, which drew in a combined 61 million viewers, while they have also committed to Monday Night Raw wrestling and have won the US rights to show football’s women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
Speaking to American media about the success of their live sporting projects, Netflix vice-president Brandon Riegg said: ‘The sheer number of people that watched was beyond anything we could ever have predicted or imagined.
‘I think a lot of the challenges with sports leagues is that if you’re a partner in helping grow it, at a certain point, at the end of its term, there’s always a risk someone else could come in and take on the deal. That’s unlike our scripted shows. For example, Black Doves will be on Netflix forever.
‘With the NFL, what felt compelling to us is that it was a single day of games. It was a holiday. It felt like an event, a noticeable moment. It was a case of the NFL saying, “We’re going to make Christmas a thing. Would you like to do that with us?”. And we felt we could help. And that’s a much more disciplined and focused approach than just saying, “We’re getting into sports”.
Netflix are expected to focus on live events after streaming Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul
The NFL Christmas Day double-header was also a major success for Netflix, with pop sensation Beyonce (above) performing at half-time in her home city of Houston, Texas
Monday Night Raw is also now on Netflix after WWE struck a deal with the streaming giants
‘As with everything, we remain sort of open-minded and opportunistic. We’re looking for events that have big viewership, are very buzzy and drive a lot of conversation. And we’re learning as we go. Between the fight, the NFL and having WWE Raw, we’ll certainly be testing the sports audience. In terms of more traditional sports, it will depend in terms of what opportunities come up.’
With the Six Nations broadcast rights up for renewal after this year’s competition, it will be interesting to see if Netflix show any appetite to join the bidding.
The tender process has already begun, with the competition’s traditional spot on the BBC in jeopardy due to shrinking budgets.
Organisers are understood to be open to sharing the rights between free-to-air and subscription channels, but no decision has yet been made.
BBC beaten by talkSPORT
TalkSPORT have beaten the BBC to secure the radio rights for the upcoming Lions tour of Australia this summer.
The broadcaster will fill a prime breakfast spot due to the 11-hour time difference, having previously won the rights for the tour of South Africa in 2021, when James Haskell was among their commentary team and no fans were allowed to travel due to Covid.
The Wallabies series will be broadcast on Sky Sports, although the Lions are yet to announce a broadcaster for their warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on June 20.
They are understood to be keen on a free-to-air platform for the game, with Channel 4 among the potential bidders.
TalkSPORT have won radio rights for when Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions head to Australia
Northampton flanker Henry Pollock (pictured) has enjoyed a breakthrough season at club level
Teenage star in England mix
Teenage flanker Henry Pollock was the most surprising face at England’s recalibration meeting at Twickenham on Monday.
The 19-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough senior season with Northampton, having starred in England’s Under 20 World Cup victory. He was part of a 36-man gathering, which did not include Sale players who are in South Africa this week for the Champions Cup.
While Pollock is regarded as one of England’s brightest young talents, his invitation to the day of meetings does not necessarily mean he will feature in the Six Nations squad, with a place on the summer tour of Argentina a more likely scenario.
Wales want Cracknell
Welsh selectors have been in touch with Leicester as they consider a Six Nations call-up for Olly Cracknell, in a bid to keep him from England’s clutches.
The No 8 is eligible for both, and was not capped when he was previously called up to Warren Gatland’s training camps.
Strength and conditioning staff from the WRU are understood to have been in contact with their respective colleagues at Leicester ahead of next week’s squad announcement.
Speaking after Cracknell’s man-of-the-match performance in a 28-15 win over Exeter on Saturday, Leicester coach Michael Cheika said: ‘He’s probably one of the best back-rowers in England right now.’
Pollockhas already starred at England youth level, and could now get a Six Nations call-up
Wales want to ensure they do not lose Olly Cracknell (right) to England before the Six Nations
Haffar heading to Leicester
Northampton’s England A forward Tarek Haffar is set to cross the East Midlands divide and sign for Leicester.
The prop, who joined Saints when London Irish went bust in 2023, is understood to be finalising terms on a move to Welford Road.
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