Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Moves to Netflix Starting Next Year Under New Deal

Netflix has sealed a deal with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to become the event’s new telecast partner. The streamer will take over showcasing the show starting with its 151st edition in early 2027 in New York.

Netflix grabbed the rights after Fox Sports’ 10-year deal as the exclusive broadcaster for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show expired this year. Fox Sports took over the rights in 2017; before that, USA Network aired the event for 32 years.

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Now, starting in February 2027, Netflix takes over, streaming the events live from New York City. Daytime breed competitions at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center streamed live simultaneously on Tudum.com and westminsterkennelclub.org. And then, evening judging at Madison Square Garden will run live on Netflix February 1 to February 2.

Also, Westminster’s Canine Celebration, including the Masters Agility Championship, will return for its fifth consecutive year on January 30 at the Javits Center. That will be taped and shown at a later date

“Following the momentum of Westminster’s historic 150th milestone event earlier this year, we are thrilled to begin an exciting new chapter with Netflix as our media partner,” Dr. Donald Sturz, the president of The Westminster Kennel Club, said in a statement. “Bringing the Westminster Dog Show to Netflix not only expands the reach of this iconic event but also introduces the sport of dogs to new audiences around the world. We are dedicated to growing America’s most beloved dog event year after year, inspiring new enthusiasts and fans across generations and across the globe to the wonderful sport of dogs.”

The three-day, three-night event features more than 3,000 champion dogs, representing 200 breeds from around the world. It all leads up to the Best in Show event on Feb. 2 at Madison Square Garden.

“As a proud dog owner myself, it’s a real pleasure and honor to partner with The Westminster Kennel Club to air its 151st show live around the world on Netflix next year,” said Brandon Riegg, vice president of nonfiction series & sports at Netflix. “We’re thrilled to showcase this prestigious and beloved event to an even broader global audience, celebrating the dogs, their handlers, and the fans who love them.”

Espen Engh, described as “a third-generation Greyhound fancier, top champion breeder, world renowned judge, and veterinarian by education,” will serve as Best in Show judge. “With four decades of judging experience spanning over 100 countries and an upcoming Best in Show judging assignment at Crufts in 2028, Engh is the only active judge to receive an invitation to award Best in Show at the two iconic shows domestically and abroad,” the org added.

Here are the group judges will make their selections over two nights at Madison Square Garden; their winning dogs then advance to Best in Show:

NIGHT 1
● Ken Murray of Island Lake, Ill., will judge the Hound Group.
● Sei-ichiro Ishimaru of Tokyo, Japan, will judge the Toy Group.
● Patricia Sosa of Madisonville, La., will judge the Non-Sporting Group.
● Marilyn VanVleit of Salem, Ore., will judge the Herding Group.

NIGHT 2
● Kathy Lorentzen of Chesanin, Mich., will judge the Sporting Group.
● Dana Cline of Albany, Ga., will judge the Working Group.
● Clay Coady of Paradise Valley, Ariz., will judge the Terrier Group.

Also, the 93rd Annual Junior Showmanship competition at Westminster, “which highlights and supports the dedicated youth in the sport of dogs,” will be held on Tuesday, February 2 at Madison Square Garden and live on Netflix. The Junior Showmanship Finals judge, Lisa Gallizzo of Branchburg, N.Y., will name the Best Junior Handler.