Netflix has pulled the plug on Starting 5, ending the NBA-focused docuseries after a two-season run despite a star-studded cast and a dramatic on-court finish. According to a report in the Sports Business Journal, the series followed five NBA players through the grind of the regular season, offering behind-the-scenes access to training, travel, and the personal dynamics that shape their careers.
Season 2 received a storybook boost when two featured players reached the seven-game NBA Finals. Haliburton played for the Pacers, Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder. Even so, the audience turnout wasn’t strong enough to justify a renewal, according to industry sources familiar with the decision.
The show carried major production backing as well, with Omaha Productions, LeBron James’ SpringHill Company and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground serving as executive producers.
However, the heavy-hitting player roster featured didn’t translate into long-term momentum. Netflix’s internal viewership data for Season 2 will not be released until early 2026, leaving outside observers to rely on indicators from third-party tracking firms. Those metrics were reportedly not promising as the series struggled to generate sustained interest on the platform.
Furthermore, internal Season 1 numbers at Netflix during the second half of 2024 lagged significantly.
They trailed behind the breakout NFL docuseries Quarterback, which followed Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota all season.
That gap likely continued throughout 2025, as both shows rolled out their respective second seasons.
Netflix has steadily invested in unscripted sports storytelling, including Formula 1, golf, tennis, and NASCAR.
Results, however, have been mixed. Breakout hits like Drive to Survive and Full Swing show appetite for personality-driven access. Other attempts, though, have struggled to stand out in an increasingly competitive documentary landscape. The cancellation of Starting 5 underscores that challenge.
Netflix did not comment on the report in the Sports Business Journal.
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