Paramount’s Channel 5 scored a coup with a deal to show NFL free-to-air in the UK on Sunday evenings this season, however the first reactions from fans on social media hasn’t been kind.
Anticipation among the growing number of NFL followers in Blighty was high with news that Channel 5 and Comcast-owned Sky would be showing a boat load of games this year.
But Channel 5’s decision to gamify its Dermot O’Leary-fronted coverage has drawn ire online. The channel decided to eschew analysis and expert punditry during the many breaks in play for the 6pm game in favour of in-studio games featuring two teams of friends and family competing for prizes. Games included team members trying to stay on a bucking bronco while having footballs fired at them and team members trying to be the first to grab a stationary football from a standing position.
One post liked by hundreds called the coverage “embarrassing”:
So @Channel5Sport @channel5_tv are actually doing this during the game. This is embarrassing and UK NFL fans deserve better than this. Whoever signed off on this format needs to be fired. pic.twitter.com/ssGiVblHNz
— NFL London (& now Dublin) 2025… Countdown is on (@nfluk_tickets) September 7, 2025
A games journalist described the show as “Partridge levels of cringe”:
If you aren’t watching Channel 5’s NFL coverage you’re missing out on Partridge levels of cringe. Every time the play stops it cuts to a studio where Dermot O’Leary hosts the cheapest American football-themed game show you’ve ever seen. Bucking broncos and everything pic.twitter.com/LpReLIFVQx
— Chris Scullion (@scully1888) September 7, 2025
Many fans expressed disappointment over the lack of analysis. The 9pm game featured O’Leary with presenter and former hockey player Sam Quek and an appearance from comedian and presenter Joel Dommett but was light on NFL talent or expert punditry outside of popular former player Osi Umenyiora:
Hopefully because it is live tv the current format of NFL Big Game Night on Channel 5 will be refreshed for the next show. We want analysis and discussion during the game. Save the parlor games for half time or something. Criminal waste of Osi today…frustrating! #biggamenight
— Ken Brisbane (@Gadzooooooks) September 7, 2025
The ratings won’t be wowing channel executives.
According to Barb figures, the channel’s 6pm game (Commanders vs Giants) was watched by an average of 160,000, with a peak of 220,000 but the show lost some viewers through the broadcast. It was Channel 5’s 10th most-watched show yesterday. Those numbers aren’t terrible for a new show but the fan reaction suggests it may be hard to reach those levels next week.
The numbers for 5Action’s 9pm game were more worrying with an average of only 22,000 tuning in for the juicy Packers vs Lions matchup. The broadcast peaked at 56,000. The same game was also shown on Sky. We’ve asked Sky for those numbers.
There is a solid and well-informed NFL fan-base in the UK, which has had NFL on its screens for decades and who regularly sell-out international games at Wembley, the Tottenham stadium and Twickenham.
We have reached out to Channel 5 for comment.
The post Fans Take Aim At Channel 5’s New NFL Coverage: “Partridge Levels Of Cringe”; Ratings Revealed appeared first on Deadline.
