Goalhanger releases new behind-the-scenes film on The Rest is Football
Goalhanger has released a new behind-the-scenes film telling the story of The Rest Is Football, from Gary Lineker’s first meeting with Goalhanger co-founder Tony Pastor to the podcast’s move onto Netflix during the World Cup.
Featuring Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Cole and members of the wider Goalhanger team, the film goes behind the scenes at the show’s Times Square studio and reveals how the production was brought together in New York.
It charts the development of the podcast, the relationship between its hosts and the creative process behind taking an established audio and video format onto one of the world’s biggest entertainment platforms.
Following a 40-day run of daily episodes filmed in New York during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Rest Is Football became one of Netflix’s hits of the summer. The series appeared in Netflix’s Daily Top 10 TV chart every day throughout its run, peaking at No. 1 in the UK.
The film also explores Goalhanger’s wider evolution from television production company to podcast network, and how the business has built direct relationships with audiences through smart, entertaining and personality-led programming. Throughout the film, the presenters and production team discuss the importance of preserving the chemistry, freedom and unfiltered conversation that made the original podcast successful, while expanding it into a premium daily television production.
The release follows the conclusion of the World Cup series, with The Rest Is Football now set to continue on Netflix as part of a new two-year agreement.
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About Goalhanger
Goalhanger is the home of curiosity - a new-generation cultural media brand built for people who want to make sense of the world and have fun doing it. We’re one of the fastest-growing media and production companies globally, creating chart-topping, story-first shows across history, politics, sport, business, entertainment, current affairs and audio drama. Our titles include The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, Empire, The Rest Is Entertainment, The Rest Is Politics: US, Leading, The Rest Is Money, Journey Through Time, Doing It Anyway, The Rest Is Football, Sherlock & Co., The Rest Is Classified, The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness, The Book Club, Bear Hunt, The Rest Is Science, and We Have Ways of Making You Talk. In 2025 alone, our programmes were streamed over 750 million times. But Goalhanger is more than a podcast network. We produce long-form, conversation-led digital media across video, live events, memberships and audio, reaching tens of millions each month and building communities - not just audiences. Everything we make is rooted in trust, talent and curiosity, reflecting our purpose and values. We’re shaping a world that’s switched on, not tuned out - one great conversation at a time. Read more: https://www.goalhanger.com
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