Netflix Scores NFL Streaming Rights to Christmas Day Games

In an announcement earlier today, streaming service Netflix revealed that it will be the home to watch NFL games on Christmas day this season. This is part of a three-season deal that will last through 2026. Included are two Christmas games this year and at least one holiday game the following two years. This will be the first live event Netflix will have with a major U.S. sports league. 

With this deal done, the NFL now has games on Peacock, Amazon Prime, ESPN+, and NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. As they add Netflix, the Shield is not leaving any streaming service untouched. The full schedule will be released this evening at 8 p.m. EST. NFL Executive VP of Media Distribution Hans Schroeder spoke about the NFL’s excitement about being the first to partner with Netflix.

While the league has not yet confirmed, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the 2024 Christmas Day games. Additionally, the Texans will host the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium on December 25th.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world,” Schroeder said. “The NFL on Christmas has become a tradition and to partner with Netflix, a service whose biggest day of the year is typically this holiday, is the perfect combination to grow this event globally for NFL fans.”

This is an appealing addition to the streaming service as they prepare for the second season of their NFL docu-series. The first season was known as “Quarterback,” following Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota. This fall, they will debut “Receiver,” mirroring the already popular NFL Series they have on hand with dynamic receivers Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, Davante Adams, and others. 

Netflix’s chief content officer, Beka Bajaria, expressed excitement about their NFL partnership. 

“Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live, tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more,” Bajaria said. No live annual events, sports or otherwise, compare with the audiences that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will only be on Netflix.

This is a huge change, and as the streaming services continue to partner with professional leagues when will enough be enough? Will fans get tired of paying multiple streaming services to watch weekly NFL games?