Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos clarified the streaming platform's approach to live sports content, stating the company is not pursuing full-season sports rights despite expanding its live NFL and sports event offerings scheduled for 2026. The comments come as Netflix faces federal scrutiny while broadening its sports programming strategy.

Separately, Microsoft appears to be working on expanding its Xbox Game Pass subscription service to China, based on code references discovered in a recent update to the Xbox PC application. The references include mentions of "Project Saluki," which Microsoft internally describes as "China market expansion for Game Pass, Rewards, and subscription tiers."

The Netflix sports strategy represents a measured approach to live content, focusing on specific events rather than comprehensive seasonal coverage. This positioning comes as streaming platforms increasingly compete for sports rights to attract and retain subscribers.

Microsoft's potential China expansion would mark a significant geographic extension of its gaming subscription service. The company currently offers various games and services globally, but expanding Game Pass to China would require navigating the country's regulatory environment for gaming content and subscriptions.