Sky Sports Extends NFL Partnership with Major Three-Year Deal

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky Sports has confirmed a new three-year agreement with the NFL, strengthening a partnership that now stretches beyond 30 years and secures its role as the home of American football in the UK and Ireland.

As part of the deal, fans can look forward to more live action than ever before. Sky will continue to have the first-pick exclusive Sunday 6pm game on Sky Sports NFL, along with the first pick for the 9pm slot. In addition, a second 6pm game and up to two further 9pm games will be shown live each week, meaning significantly more choice for viewers.

For the first time, every London and Europe game will air live, including the much-anticipated inaugural fixtures in Ireland and Spain. Combined with existing coverage, this represents a near 50 percent rise in the number of live matches available to customers.

Popular programming will remain in place, with NFL RedZone, every Thursday, Sunday and Monday night game, Thanksgiving fixtures, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl all included. Viewers will also have access to NFL Network shows such as Good Morning Football and The Insiders, plus documentaries from NFL Films and NBC Sports.

Jonathan Licht, Chief Sports Officer UK & Ireland, said the new deal offers "more games than ever before" and builds on record-breaking Super Bowl viewership on Sky. Gerrit Meier, NFL International Managing Director, described the UK as "a priority market," while Laura Louisy of NFL International called the agreement "a testament to the growth of our long-term partnership."

The dedicated Sky Sports NFL channel will once again provide round-the-clock coverage from the start of the regular season through to Super Bowl LX, which takes place on 8 February 2026 at Levi's Stadium in California.

The 2025 NFL season kicks off on 4 September, with Sky Sports set to reveal its full presenting team closer to the start of play.

End of Summer - Gripping Swedish Drama Arrives on Viaplay

By Jon Donnis

Prepare for a chilling and emotional ride with End of Summer, a psychological drama based on the award-winning crime novel by a former police officer. Directed by the creator behind the iconic series The Bridge, the series has already been praised as "a superior Swedish thriller" by The Guardian and "your next streaming obsession" by What to Watch. It premieres on Viaplay Monday 1 September.

Set in Sweden during the late 1990s, the story begins when 14-year-old Vera refuses to take her younger brother Billy out with her, leading to his sudden and devastating disappearance. Twenty years later, a young man resembling Billy returns, forcing adult Vera, played by Julia Ragnarsson (Midsommar, The Bridge), to confront the past. As she returns to her divided family and hometown, Vera must unravel the mystery surrounding Billy's fate, a journey that threatens to upend her world entirely.

The series spans six 45-minute episodes and is presented in Swedish with English subtitles, offering a taut, suspenseful experience for fans of Nordic crime and psychological thrillers.

In the Name of Love - Entertaining New Comedy-Drama Series

By Jon Donnis

Secrets, scandals, and family ties collide in In the Name of Love, a bold new comedy-drama heading to the UK this September. The exclusive premiere launches Monday 8 September with the first two episodes, followed by two fresh instalments each week.

Set against the backdrop of Norway's straight-laced 1970s, the story uncovers a family whose unconventional livelihood was rooted in the adult film industry. Decades later, the children are grown, the parents have separated, but the past refuses to stay buried. When Balder and his wife host their daughter's baptism, the entire family gathers. Almost. Balder's estranged father turns up uninvited, sparking old tensions and bringing hidden truths to light.

Based on the untold true story of director Bård Breien, the series explores morality, rebellion, and the messy clash between freedom and decency. With Maria Bonnevie, Trond Espen Seim, Jakob Oftebro, Jonas Oftebro, and Ingrid Gaever leading the cast, this eight-part Viaplay Original promises sharp humour, heartfelt drama, and plenty of surprises.

On Viaplay, from 8 September. Norwegian with English subtitles.

Sky Arts Launches 24-Hour Heroes to Celebrate Unsung Arts Workers

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky Arts has announced the launch of 24-Hour Heroes, a new portrait series highlighting the people who keep the UK's arts world running around the clock. The initiative comes ahead of the Sky Arts Awards at The Roundhouse, London, on 16th September.

The series celebrates 24 unsung arts workers, from stage managers unlocking doors at dawn to cleaners and book editors working late into the night. It showcases the wide variety of roles that sustain creativity across the country.

On launch day, 27th August, Sky Arts will reveal the portraits on Instagram. Photographs have been taken by photographers across the UK, including Ricky Darko, Julie Broadfoot and Simon Murrell. The full collection will then be displayed at The Roundhouse during the Awards.

Those featured include stage managers, bar staff, cleaners, archive curators, book award judges, literary agents, directors, costume designers, wig makers, photographers and even Jelly Bean, a Jack Russell and Pomeranian mix who works as a canine wellbeing officer at the National Theatre of Scotland.

The participants come from a range of organisations across the UK, such as Soho Theatre, National Theatre Scotland, Youth Music, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Scottish Opera, Art UK, London Film School, Leeds City Council, Royal Theatre in London and Billy & Andy's Music School in Manchester.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: "Too often, attention goes only to those on stage or in front of the camera, but the truth is the arts are powered 24/7 by an army of extraordinary people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK arts world thriving. We want to champion the unsung Arts Heroes with the Arts Hero Award, the riggers, engineers, drivers, mentors and many more, and remind the public that the arts really are for everyone."

Patrick Ahaotu, cleaner and assistant building supervisor at National Theatre Scotland, said: "As one of the first points of contact with NTS, my job has given me the opportunity to work alongside people from all walks of life, talent, skills and backgrounds, which has helped in building my confidence and improving my communication skills."

Eliyah Reihana, receptionist and admin assistant at London Film School, added: "For me, the arts are about the people I meet every day, the friendships, the stories and the shared passion for creativity."

The 24-Hour Heroes series also marks the opening of nominations for the Arts Hero Award as part of the Sky Arts Awards. Members of the public and arts organisations can nominate their own Arts Heroes by 4th September at Sky Arts Awards website https://skyartsawards.sky/arts-hero-award.html

The Sky Arts Awards take place on 16th September at The Roundhouse, London, and celebrate the best of British and Irish culture across comedy, dance, film and literature, as well as opera, visual art and theatre, recognising both the talent in the spotlight and the essential work behind the scenes.

Netflix to Stream 2026 World Baseball Classic Live in Japan

Image: Netflix Press

By Jon Donnis

Netflix will become the new home of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan, marking the first time the platform will deliver live coverage of the tournament to Japanese audiences. The announcement comes through an exclusive media rights partnership with World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI), the organisation jointly operated by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

All 47 games of the 2026 tournament will be available to stream live and on-demand across Japan. Fans will be able to watch on any device, from smart TVs to mobile phones, as part of their existing Netflix subscription, offering unparalleled access to one of baseball's most prestigious international competitions.

The tournament will feature elite teams from around the globe, with Team Japan aiming to defend its 2023 championship title. The 2026 edition will take place across four locations: Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida, beginning on 5 and 6 March 2026.

Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, said the partnership reflects the growing popularity of the tournament and WBCI's commitment to reaching fans through innovative digital platforms. "By joining forces with a leader in entertainment, we are not only honouring the tradition of baseball, but also embracing the future," he said.

Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content at Netflix Japan, added: "We are committed to ensuring all fans, whether lifelong supporters or new to the game, can experience the tournament in a way that fits their lives today. We are excited to deliver a new kind of viewing experience that brings fans even closer to the action, the players, and the heart of the tournament, wherever they are."

The World Baseball Classic has previously seen Netflix collaborate with Major League Baseball on globally-distributed documentaries, including The Turnaround (2024), The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024) and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox (2025).

Further details, including programming schedules and exclusive content, will be announced in the coming months. Fans in Japan will now have a front-row seat to world-class competition, seeing top international players compete for national pride in the sport's official National Team World Championship, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 on the BBC. How to watch and who’s bringing it to you

By Jon Donnis

The Women's Summer of Sport rolls on and the spotlight now swings to England, where the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 takes centre stage. It is the latest stop in BBC Sport's packed calendar of women's sport, a summer where new stars will rise and reputations will be made.

Every match of the tournament will be live on the BBC, with full coverage across TV, radio, online and the BBC Sport app. From the opening kick-off right through to the final whistle, fans can follow every twist and turn, whether they are watching at home, on the move, or catching up later on iPlayer. The big group stage fixtures featuring England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will all be shown live on TV, and every knockout clash is covered too.

Fronting the action is Gabby Logan alongside Ugo Monye, guiding viewers through the tournament's biggest moments. In the commentary box, Sara Orchard, Andrew Cotter and Claire Thomas bring the matches to life, while Sonja McLaughlan, Sarra Elgan and Elma Smit will be pitch-side, capturing the stories unfolding at ground level.

The punditry team is stacked with rugby pedigree. World Cup winners Maggie Alphonsi and Katy Daley-McLean, former England head coach Simon Middleton and co-commentary great Brian Moore are set to provide sharp insight and unique perspective. Coverage of the home nations will be boosted by voices who know those campaigns inside out: Siwan Lillicrap and Philippa Tuttiett for Wales, Deborah McCormack and Heather Lockhart for Scotland, and Sene Naoupu and Anna Caplice following Ireland's journey.

Adding another layer of energy, former England 7s star and Gladiators favourite Jodie Ounsley will be on the ground at selected games. She will be soaking up the atmosphere in the stands, chatting to fans and bringing supporters even closer to England's campaign.

With world-class talent both on the pitch and in the studio, and with BBC Sport delivering every angle of the competition, the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is set to be unmissable.

Brassic’s Last Ride: Why I’m Counting Down to Series 7

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

The trailer has dropped and I'm buzzing. The Brassic gang are back for one final ride, and it looks like they are going out on top and in style. Series 7 lands on Sky and streaming service NOW on 25 September, and from the first shots alone it feels like a farewell made for fans who have stuck with Vinnie and co through every scrape.

After that near death scare at the end of Series 6, the crew clearly have a new lease of life. Confronted with how fragile it all is, they are grabbing each day by the horns. With that mindset there is no telling what trouble they will get into, which is exactly why I cannot wait.

This final chapter promises everything we love about the show. There are lederhosen fuelled escapades, a school reunion that careers wildly off the rails, and gangsters who seem even more unhinged than before. Among the chaos the emotions land too. Old wounds start to sting again, friendships are pushed to the edge, and the gang have to face what their future and their past really mean. It feels riotous, messy, very funny, and surprisingly tender. In other words, peak Brassic.

The cast list reads like a greatest hits. Joe Gilgun returns as Vinnie, with Michelle Keegan as Erin, Ryan Sampson as Tommo, Aaron Heffernan as Ashley, Parth Thakerar as JJ, Joanna Higson as Sugar, Steve Evets as Jim, Dominic West as Dr Chris, Neil Ashton as Davey, and Bhavna Limbachia as Meena. There are new faces, there are surprise returns, and there is a whole lot of heart threaded through the madness.

Co-creator and writer Danny Brocklehurst has said they always wanted to leave the party while it was still fun. After fifty episodes that feels right. Brassic has become a proper hit, but at its core it has always been about friendship and love, and that is the spirit they are choosing to leave with. The series is produced by Calamity Films, and you can sense the confidence of a team closing the curtain on their own terms.

If you are new to the show, there is time to catch up. Series 1 to 6 are on Sky on demand and on NOW. For the rest of us, it is one more round of escapades, bad decisions, good intentions, and the kind of loyalty that keeps this found family together.

Roll on 25 September. No half measures, no slowing down. One last blowout with the Brassic lot, then we say goodbye the way they would want us to, with a laugh and a lump in the throat.