Liverpool in 'advanced talks' with Disney+ over behind the scenes docuseries
- Liverpool expected to get £10m from selling docuseries
- Filming for the project in Jurgen Klopp's final season has already begun
- Disney+ leading talks with Amazon & Netflix unconvinced
Liverpool are set to sell the rights to a series documenting the final season of Jurgen Klopp's reign, reported to be in 'advanced talks' with streaming giant Disney+.
The Reds recently confirmed that filming for the project is underway, capturing behind the scenes footage at the club during the 2023/24 season. It was already planned before Jurgen Klopp decided to make this one his last as Liverpool boss, which has only served to add massive intrigue.
The Daily Mail writes that Amazon, known for their All or Nothing brand that has already featured Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, rejected the chance to buy the project before the Klopp news was known. But it is said there were concerns over the level of access.
Klopp had previously vetoed a proposed All or Nothing series in 2018 and is said to have only allowed this project to go ahead on the condition that cameras wouldn't follow players into the dressing room or other private areas. It therefore may not deliver as much as fans would want to see.
Netflix, who have developed numerous popular behind the scenes docuseries covering Formula 1, golf, tennis, wrestling and have also now turned their hand to Nascar and rugby union’s Six Nations, are also reported to have had reservations.
And with Sky Sports and TNT Sports operating with much smaller documentary budgets in order to focus more on buying up rights for live broadcasting, it has left Disney+ with little competition. Selling the rights to the docuseries is expected to bring in around £10m for Liverpool.
Disney+ has its own comprehensive selection of sports documentaries, from various classics in the ESPN: 30 for 30 back-catalogue, to Welcome to Wrexham in partnership with FX, as well as originals like Matildas: The World at our Feet, following the Australian women’s national football team.