The streaming platform hopes to reach millions of fans with the stories behind "The Old Lady."
Netflix is targeting global soccer fans with a new documentary series, Juventus FC, that will tell the story of the legendary Italian club.
Told in four one-hour episodes, the series will be launched worldwide on Netflix in early 2018.
Founded in 1897, the club, nicknamed “The Old Lady,” is known for its signature black and white striped jerseys, and for pretty much always winning. Juventus, or Juve, this year became the first Italian club to win six consecutive national titles in Serie A, the top division of Italian soccer. In total, Juventus has won 63 major titles, including two European Cup or Champions League titles, the highest honor in club soccer. Juventus FC has also provided the Italian national team with more players than any other team, helping Italy win its four World Cups since 1934.
The new docu-series is expected to follow the players and coaches in their private and professional lives in an effort to capture what makes "the Juventus one of the most fascinating teams in the world,” said Netflix in a statement on the show.
The streaming platform is banking on the appeal of bringing fans up close and personal to the soccer greats. “Netflix is the home of passionate stories and there are no more passionate fans than tifosi of the bianconeri,” said Erik Barmack, Vice President, International Originals at Netflix. “We are excited to have exclusive access to one of the most important squads in the world."
The series may also fill a sports gap at Netflix. Unlike competitor Amazon Prime, which has invested heavily, including snapping up streaming rights to certain NFL games in the U.S., Netflix has yet to buy big into sports.
"It's a source of pride that Juventus is the first football team to be the subject of a Netflix original documentary," said Federico Palomba, Co-Chief Revenue Officer of the football club. "Collaborations of this kind confirm our passion for innovation, and being, in every sense, a sport entertainment brand. In this way, we are determined to reach fans across the world and millions of Netflix users, who thanks to this docuseries can get to know Juventus from every angle."
Juventus FC follows Netflix's first Italian-language original series Suburra which premiered Oct.6.