NFL ON 5 SUPERSIZES ITS FREE-TO-AIR COVERAGE AS THE SPORT RETURNS TO CHANNEL 5  FOR ANOTHER ADRENALIN-FUELLED SEASON

Dermot O’Leary, Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora return to host NFL coverage on 5 and 5Action, all coverage will be produced by Hungry Bear Media   

 As the NFL season returns live NFL games will be broadcast in primetime on free-to-air TV, with two Sunday evening games on 5 and 5Action throughout the season    

 5 to also broadcast one game each week through the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl LXI as well as London’s three NFL games free-to-air    

Wednesday 2nd September, London, UK: 5 today announce the return of their NFL coverage hosted by Dermot O’Leary, Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora, and produced by Hungry Bear Media (Gladiators, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show). The live sports series NFL On 5, formerly known as Big Game Night, will return alongside 5 and 5Action’s bumper 2026/27 NFL season coverage, all available free-to-air for UK viewers from Sunday 13th September. 

Every Sunday throughout the regular season, two live games will be broadcast, with the first kicking off at 6pm on 5Action, coverage from 5.30pm, and the second from 9pm on 5.  NFL on 5 is a refreshed format with the 9.25pm NFL fixture firmly at its heart.  The show will bring viewers closer to the biggest match-ups in the NFL calendar through expert analysis, celebrity guests and the fun that made last season’s coverage such a hit. Dermot, Sam and Osi will be joined by a line-up of celebrity guests and NFL stars, with members of the live studio audience also getting in on the action. The refreshed format builds on last season’s most memorable and viral moments. 

Dermot O’Leary said: "Thrilled to be back hosting NFL on 5 with Sam and Osi. We had the best time last year, and a new show is always exciting to work on.  I loved making a show that appealed to and entertained new fans, whilst always respecting the established and knowledgeable fans of American Football here in the UK. Can’t wait for the season to start again. Go Dolphins! #finsup (said more in hope than expectation!)"   

 Osi Umenyiora added: “I’m incredibly excited to be back with Dermot and Sam for another season. The NFL continues to grow in the UK and giving fans even more live free-to-air games is a huge part of continuing to build that momentum. We had a lot of fun last season and I can’t wait to be back with 5 for another exciting one!”   

Sam Quek said: “I’m so excited to be back for another season of NFL on 5. We had such a brilliant time last year, and I can’t wait to get back in the studio with Dermot and Osi for all the NFL action on Sunday nights. The NFL is growing so much in the UK, and it’s fantastic to be part of helping fans enjoy the game for free.” 

Following the success of last season’s Super Bowl coverage live from San Francisco, peaking at 1.1m viewers and captivating viewers throughout the night, NFL on 5 will return to bring all the action live and free from Los Angeles for Super Bowl LXI in February 2027.  

As part of 5’s commitment to bringing live sport to audiences for free the supersized 5 and 5Action NFL season will bring the action every week, plus three NFL London games from Tottenham and Wembley, a Thanksgiving Day special and three playoff games. 

Dan Louw, Commissioning Editor, 5 said: “NFL is the greatest show on Earth and as a lifelong fan I'm thrilled that we're going to continue growing the game in the UK, the sport's second home. We've got the best presenting team in the business, a production team that is as creative and relentless as a Seahawks defensive scheme and one of the most exciting NFL seasons in recent history!”   

Dan Baldwin, Managing Director at Hungry Bear Media added: “Hungry Bear is thrilled to bring fans front-row access to all the NFL coverage on 5 and 5Action this year, anchored by the sharpest, most passionate presenting team in the game. With world-class talent steering the action, we are set for the most electrifying season of NFL in history. Come join us!”   

NFL on 5 and the sports coverage is produced by Hungry Bear Media and commissioned by Dan Louw for 5.  The executive producers for Hungry Bear are Dan Baldwin and Luke Shiach, and series producer is Jamie Kelly.    

Watch/stream for free on 5 and 5Action, from Sunday 13th September, from 5.30pm 

-ENDS-

For further details:   

5: Sue Wilks (UK) - susan.wilks@paramount.com ; Pippa Cameron -pippa.cameron@paramount.com 

Multitude Media: Gem Pinkney (UK) – gem.pinkney@multitudemedia.co.uk      

About 5: 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Skydance Corporation.  

Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount+ and more.  

In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.  

Recent wins include ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards, BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.