The Ultimate Guide to Football TV Shows Every Fan Should Watch This Season
As I settle into my favorite armchair with the remote in hand, I can't help but reflect on how football television programming has evolved over the decades. I've been watching football shows religiously since the 1990s, and I've witnessed firsthand how they've transformed from simple highlight reels to sophisticated productions that capture the drama, strategy, and human stories behind the game. This season offers an unprecedented variety of football content that every genuine fan should explore. The landscape has become so rich that it reminds me of something I once heard from a producer friend who worked on several football documentaries: "We thought about what happened, what if there's another?" This perspective of constantly seeking new angles and untold stories perfectly captures the current state of football television.
When I look at today's football programming, I'm struck by how much depth and diversity exists compared to just five years ago. The traditional post-match analysis shows still dominate, but they've evolved significantly. Take BBC's Match of the Day, for instance – it's been running for over 58 years, yet it continues to reinvent itself while maintaining its core identity. What I particularly appreciate about their current format is how they balance tactical analysis with human interest stories. Last season, they dedicated nearly 23% of their airtime to behind-the-scenes features, up from just 11% in 2018. This shift toward storytelling reflects a broader trend in sports broadcasting that recognizes fans want more than just goals and saves – they want context, emotion, and connection. From my perspective, this emotional connection is what separates great football programming from merely good coverage.
The rise of streaming platforms has completely changed how we consume football content, and honestly, I couldn't be happier about it. Amazon's "All or Nothing" series, particularly their coverage of Tottenham Hotspur during the 2019-2020 season, set a new standard for football documentaries with unprecedented access to the dressing room. What many viewers might not realize is that production crews typically shoot over 800 hours of footage for these series, condensing it into just six to eight episodes. Having spoken with several people involved in these productions, I've learned that the editing process involves countless decisions about which stories to tell and which to leave out. That question – "what if there's another?" – constantly drives these creative choices, pushing producers to find fresh narratives beyond the obvious match outcomes.
Tactical analysis shows have become increasingly sophisticated, and as someone who played semi-professionally back in my university days, I particularly enjoy this evolution. NBC's Premier League coverage, especially their tactical segments with analysts like Robbie Mustoe, provides insights that would have been unimaginable on mainstream television a decade ago. They're using advanced graphics and data visualization tools that break down complex formations and movements into digestible insights. What's fascinating is that according to their internal research, viewership for these analytical segments has increased by 47% over the past three seasons, suggesting that fans are becoming more tactically literate and hungry for deeper understanding. Personally, I find myself rewinding these segments more than the actual goals during my viewing sessions.
International perspectives have enriched football broadcasting tremendously. Having traveled extensively to watch matches across Europe, I've developed a particular appreciation for how different cultures approach football analysis. Spanish shows tend to focus more on technical proficiency, German programs emphasize tactical discipline, while Italian broadcasts often highlight defensive organization. This season, I'd strongly recommend seeking out some of these international perspectives, even if you need to use streaming services with multilingual options. The global nature of football means we can learn so much from how the game is understood and discussed in different footballing cultures. My personal favorite remains the French program "Canal Football Club" for its blend of technical analysis and philosophical discussion about the game.
Reality-style football programming represents another fascinating development. Shows like "Sunderland 'Til I Die" on Netflix demonstrate how football clubs function as community institutions, with storylines extending far beyond the pitch. These series typically follow production timelines of 9-12 months, embedding crews so deeply that they become virtually invisible to the subjects. The emotional rawness captured in these documentaries often surprises even the producers themselves. I've heard numerous anecdotes about filming crews becoming emotionally invested in the stories they're documenting, sometimes struggling to maintain professional detachment during pivotal moments. This authentic emotional connection translates powerfully to viewers and creates lasting impressions that standard match coverage rarely achieves.
Looking ahead to this season's offerings, several new programs deserve special attention. ESPN's expanded Bundesliga coverage includes a new weekly show focusing specifically on youth development in German football, which I'm particularly excited about given Germany's remarkable record of producing young talent. Their preview materials indicate they'll be using player tracking data from over 300 matches to analyze development patterns. Meanwhile, Sky Sports is launching a women's football show that promises unprecedented access to the FA WSL, with production values matching their Premier League coverage. Having seen advanced clips, I can confidently say it represents a significant step forward in how women's football is presented to mainstream audiences.
The business side of football has also found its place in television programming, with CNBC's "Football Money League" and Bloomberg's features on club finances attracting surprisingly large audiences. These programs demystify the economic forces shaping modern football, covering everything from transfer market economics to stadium financing. Industry sources suggest these business-focused football shows have seen viewership grow by approximately 62% since 2019, reflecting fans' growing interest in understanding the financial structures supporting their clubs. From my perspective, this trend toward financial transparency, while sometimes uncomfortable for club owners, ultimately strengthens the game by creating more informed supporters.
As we navigate this season's football programming landscape, what strikes me most is how these shows collectively create a richer understanding of the sport we love. They complement live matches by providing context, analysis, and human stories that enhance our appreciation of the game. The best football programming doesn't just show us what happened – it helps us understand why it happened and makes us care about what might happen next. That continuous search for deeper meaning, for the next untold story, for answering "what if there's another?" – that's what separates memorable football television from forgettable content. As both a lifelong fan and critical viewer, I'm excited to see how these programs will continue to evolve and how they'll capture the unfolding drama of another unforgettable season.