World Athletics Explores Second Season of Netflix Documentary as Premiership Rugby Faces Docuseries Setback

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, has disclosed ongoing discussions with Netflix regarding a potential second season of its track and field documentary series. The revelation precedes the premiere of the first season, styled after the popular Formula 1 documentary “Drive to Survive.” In contrast, Premiership Rugby experiences a setback as Amazon Prime declines a sequel to its Mud, Sweat and Tears docuseries, citing insufficient viewership.

Netflix’s upcoming six-part series, filmed during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest and featuring world sprint champions Noah Lyles and Dina Asher-Smith, has generated surprising interest from the streaming giant. Coe emphasized Netflix’s astonishment at the global appeal of athletics, paving the way for potential future collaborations.

While UK Athletics faces challenges in materializing its own project, Coe highlights the increasing global appetite for track and field. The documentary series aims to showcase the universality of the sport, with film crews capturing athletes worldwide, contributing to the conversation about extending the collaboration with Netflix.

In the quest to engage a younger audience, similar to the successful approach of Formula 1’s “Drive to Survive,” World Athletics envisions the documentary series as a tool to raise the profile of athletes, especially in an Olympic year. As sporting organizations explore innovative strategies to connect with fans, the collaboration with Netflix represents a significant step forward for track and field.