Monday, August 10, 2026

Netflix Leans Into Sports Docs As Live Sports Put on Backburner

  • Netflix reported $7.85 billion in fourth-quarter revenue.
  • The streaming service added 7.66 million subscribers during the quarter.
Netflix
Shutterstock

Netflix reported $7.85 billion in fourth-quarter revenue and added over 3 million more subscribers than expected.

The streaming service added 7.66 million subscribers during the quarter — significantly higher than the 4.57 million expected, according to StreetAccount estimates. Netflix also launched a lower-priced, ad-supported plan in November.

Netflix’s new sports and fitness content could be a draw for new customers going forward.

  • Earlier this month, Netflix released the first five episodes of its new “Break Point” series chronicling professional tennis’ 2022 season.
  • Netflix is also working on a golf series with the PGA Tour and a documentary series on the Tour de France.
  • In May 2022, it renewed “Drive to Survive” with Formula 1 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
  • The platform teamed up with Nike Fitness Club to add fitness classes to its library last month. Netflix will release a total of 90 workouts.

Netflix ended 2022 with 231 million paid memberships and $32 billion in revenue. It expects 4% revenue growth for the first quarter.

Not Ready To Go Live

While Netflix’s sports content is growing, the company still hasn’t made its way to live sports.

“We’ve not seen a profit path to renting big sports,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said last month, adding that Netflix isn’t “anti-sports,” just “pro-profit.”

Netflix also announced Thursday that founder Reed Hastings is stepping down as co-CEO and will now serve as executive chairman.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 13, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler leans over to talk with Rory McIlroy at the green jacket ceremony during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Chasing Tiger: Scheffler, McIlroy Near Woods’s Career Earnings Record

McIlroy leads Scheffler by less than $200,000 in career earnings.
President Donald Trump waves as he leaves Trump International Golf Club on March 28, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump’s Growing Pro Golf Influence on Display at Bedminster

Trump Bedminster is hosting LIV Golf New York this week.
Aug 6, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; Bryson DeChambeau points right after his tee shot on the first tee during the first round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.

7 Burning Questions for LIV Golf Amid Claim of New Funding

Private equity firm BC Partners is reportedly exploring a deal with LIV.

Netflix Wants to Not ‘Do Too Much’ With Field of Dreams Game

The upgraded Iowa complex now has a permanent stadium. 
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/10/26 – WNBA’s Weekend of Controversy, Senate Punts on College Sports Bill, Kyle Shanahan’s Autopilot Confession

0:00

Featured Today

Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Tom's Watch Bar
July 17, 2026

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The NFL Network logo on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Network Blackout Ends As Comcast, Disney Reach Deal

The agreement ended a blackout lasting more than three months.
August 7, 2026

How WNBA Teams Are Responding to the League’s Latest Culture War

The league issued a new media policy this year.
Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Panther and now announcer Greg Olsen during pregame warm ups between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Opinion
August 10, 2026

Greg Olsen Has the Most to Gain in NFL TV’s Talent Shuffle

CBS, Amazon, and ESPN could all have No. 1 jobs to fill.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Exclusive
August 7, 2026

Clay Travis to Launch New Sports Media Outfit Before Football Season

The new company is expected to include video content from his radio show.
The Warner Bros. Water Tower is pictured at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank on the day it was announced that California and 11 states are suing to block Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in California, U.S. July 13, 2026.
August 6, 2026

WBD Ad Sales Sink Without NBA Live Rights

WBD’s fiscal second-quarter revenue fell 11%.
August 6, 2026

Fox Pushes Back NFL Media-Rights Negotiations Until 2028

The company also touted strong results from the FIFA men’s World Cup.
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck arrive at the Disney Upfront 2022 event in New York City, New York, U.S., May 17, 2022. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado
August 6, 2026

Aikman, Buck Head Into High-Stakes ESPN Negotiations

ESPN hopes to retain the duo past the network’s first Super Bowl.