Netflix and the NFL have made a groundbreaking announcement with a three-year deal to stream games on Christmas Day. This partnership marks a significant shift in the way sports content is delivered to viewers and provides an exciting new avenue for fans to enjoy their favorite teams and players.
According to the agreement, Netflix will carry two games this year and at least one game in 2025 and 2026. The streaming giant has planned an action-packed lineup for this year, with defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City facing off against Pittsburgh, followed by Baltimore at Houston. These exciting matchups are sure to captivate football fans and create a festive atmosphere on Christmas Day.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live — tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more. There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL attracts. We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.”
This collaboration is part of Netflix’s broader strategy to expand its live sports offerings. The streaming service began airing NFL programming last year with the series “Quarterback” and will premiere a series on wide receivers this year. Additionally, Netflix has ventured into live sports broadcasting with exhibition events in golf and tennis, and will soon air the highly anticipated bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
The NFL has a long history of playing games on Christmas Day, with a total of 30 games since 1971. The league has typically avoided midweek games, but this year marks a departure from that tradition. In line with the NFL’s policy on games carried on cable or streaming platforms, Netflix’s Christmas games will also air on broadcast TV in the competing teams’ home cities and will be available on mobile devices in the U.S. with NFL+.
Overall, this partnership between Netflix and the NFL represents a significant milestone in the world of sports broadcasting. By bringing live games to a streaming platform on a major holiday, the two organizations are paving the way for new opportunities in content delivery and engaging fans in innovative ways. As viewers look forward to the exciting matchups and festive atmosphere of Christmas Day football, this collaboration is sure to make a lasting impact on the sports entertainment industry.
