Football icon, David Beckham, is set to join the talented crew of former stars on Paramount+ for a brand-new Champions League alternative broadcast. The show titled "Beckham and Friends" will be available for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals this season as well as the Final.
Beckham has signed a two-year deal with CBS and Paramount+. This means that "Beckham and Friends" will also be available for the 2026 semifinals and finals. The announcement was made during Beckham's surprise appearance on UEFA Champions League Today crew on CBS.
An all-star cast
In this alternative broadcast, David Beckham plans to bring in friends and celebrities who viewers will recognize. Although neither CBS nor Beckham revealed who these celebrities would be, it was clarified that they would not just be former players but also include Hollywood stars who are fans of soccer.
The show aims to provide an engaging platform where Beckham along with his guests discuss all things related to soccer while watching live games. Essentially, it offers viewers an opportunity to listen in on conversations while simultaneously enjoying their favorite sport.
According to Beckham himself, there are high expectations regarding the caliber of celebrities being brought onto the show. In a friendly jab at Gary Neville - a former teammate from England and Manchester United - he indicated that not everyone makes the cut!
Watch-along sports programs
American sports fans are already familiar with watch-along shows thanks largely due to ESPN's Manningcast program for Monday Night Football which features former NFL quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning discussing football while watching live games. They often invite guests including ex-footballers as well as other celebrities such as actor Miles Teller who is an Eagles fan. Given this format's success in American football broadcasts, it's a logical step for soccer to follow suit. David Beckham, with his deep connections in both the celebrity and soccer worlds, is an ideal candidate to host this type of program.
The introduction of "Beckham and Friends" could potentially attract more subscribers to Paramount+ who may be interested in the celebrities making appearances on the show. Given that this program will air during the semifinals and Champions League Final, it is expected to draw strong audiences for Paramount+, where it will be exclusively streaming.
David Beckham's new venture with CBS and Paramount+ promises an exciting blend of sports commentary and celebrity banter that should appeal not only to die-hard football fans but also those who enjoy a bit of star-studded entertainment alongside their sports viewing.
