When Netflix approached Goalhanger co-founder Tony Pastor last year, he assumed the streamer was interested in picking up a version of his podcast network’s The Rest Is History. In their first meeting, executives discussed episodes from the show—then pivoted the conversation.
“They suddenly said in the middle of the meeting—’but actually, that’s not what we want to talk about,’” Pastor said. “’We want to talk to you about The Rest Is Football.’ And so, hence we find ourselves here.”
Here is the heart of New York City’s Times Square, where the U.K.-based podcast has relocated to shoot 40 daily shows for Netflix over the course of the World Cup in a set that overlooks an Old Navy, a Popeyes and thousands of other international visitors.
The Rest Is Football launched in 2023, featuring former England footballers Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards’ banter-heavy discussions of soccer‘s biggest stories. Over the next month, the show will give Netflix its own World Cup offering for diehards, even without rights to show live action or highlights, as the streamer continues developing its sports portfolio.
Like many podcasts, The Rest Is Football has increasingly focused on video. During the 2024 Euros, the program saw more video viewers than audio listeners, Pastor said. Now, he refers to it simply as a “show.” During the World Cup, The Rest Is Football has included both pre-produced video segments at team training locations as well as hits from reporters on the ground. A staff of 150 work on the show, which Netflix reportedly paid £14 million ($19 million) to stream for the summer. Audio versions are released roughly three times a week on podcast platforms.
