David Beckham signs deal with Paramount+ to complement UEFA Champions League coverage with alternative show “Beckham & Friends”

David Beckham and Paramount+ have entered into a marketing partnership that offers alternative television broadcasts. Beckham and his friends for CBS Sports' coverage of the UEFA Champions League.

The deal will bring additional exposure to the ManningCast-like show and expand opportunities to watch the UEFA Champions League on Paramount+. The show will stream during both semifinals and the UEFA Champions League final. Beckham made the announcement on Tuesday during a guest appearance on CBS Sports' UEFA Champions League today Studio show.

“Just like you guys, I love watching the game,” Beckham told studio hosts. (Watch a clip below.) “I like watching the game a certain way,” with family and friends, he added. “So it's going to be me sitting there watching the games, commentating on the games with friends, talking about the games and sometimes not talking about the games.”

This deal includes exclusive “altcasts” on Paramount+ in 2025 and 2026, where Beckham will be joined by guests from the world of sports, media and entertainment. Paramount+ presents Beckham and his friends is produced by CBS Sports in association with UEFA Champions League, Authentic and Relevent Sports, the latter of which played a key role in the development of the Beckham and his friends Concept.

Paramount Global renewed its U.S. rights deal for UEFA soccer in 2022, agreeing to pay $1.5 billion for a six-year extension through 2030.

When the company was still called ViacomCBS, it was the surprise winner of an earlier auction for UEFA rights. The games were a popular draw on CBS All Access, which expanded and rebranded as Paramount+ in 2021. Select games were also broadcast on Paramount networks such as CBS and CBS Sports Network.

The latest extension, which runs until 2030 and also includes the Europa League and Europa Conference League, is a significant step up. The latest sports rights deal has skyrocketed due to increasing demand, with its annual value increasing from $100 million previously to $250 million, a source told Deadline. Amazon was one of the other companies reportedly courting UEFA.

Here is a link to Beckham’s announcement: