Netflix is poised to make history this Christmas Day by debuting its live NFL games, which promise both thrill and entertainment. For the very first time, the popular streaming platform will air two pivotal matchups: the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens squaring off against the Houston Texans. Fans of the sport and Netflix subscribers alike are gearing up for this unprecedented event.
The games stand out, not merely for their entertainment value but as part of Netflix's new strategy to expand its live sports programming. The streaming giant has struck a significant three-year deal with the NFL, reportedly worth $150 million annually. This move indicates Netflix's commitment to diversifying its offerings, moving beyond movies and shows to embrace live events.
At 1 p.m. ET, the Steelers (10-5) will host the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (14-1), who are aiming to clinch the top seed in the AFC. Following this, the Ravens (10-5) will face the Texans (9-6), who have already secured the AFC South title. Both games have major playoff implications, ensuring high stakes and intense competition.
Understanding how to watch the games is straightforward for Netflix subscribers. Whether opting for the ad-supported plan at $6.99/month or the premium tier at $22.99/month, all 283 million subscribers worldwide can access the live streams. For those not subscribing but located within the competing teams' local markets (Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Houston, and Baltimore), the games will also be available on local CBS-TV affiliates.
But the excitement isn't just about the games themselves. Netflix is making the event even more festive with star-studded entertainment. Mariah Carey, the undisputed queen of Christmas music, will perform her classic hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You" during the pre-game show starting at 11 a.m. ET. Beyoncé is slated to grace the halftime stage during the Ravens-Texans game, performing tracks from her new album, Cowboy Carter. This combination of sport and star power is sure to draw even more viewers to the platform.
This venture marks Netflix's latest attempt to gain ground in the competitive live sports streaming arena. The service faced challenges during its previous high-profile streaming events, such as the boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which peaked at 65 million concurrent streams but was marred by substantial technical issues. These glitches raised concerns about Netflix's readiness for such large-scale live broadcasts.
"Glitchy is a generous way of describing it," remarked Patrick Crakes, a media consultant and former Fox Sports executive. After experiencing technical setbacks during several live events—including failures during Netflix's Love Is Blind reunion special—the company has claimed to resolve these issues by launching stress tests and optimizing its streaming capabilities with help from partners like Charter Communications and Comcast.
The NFL is confident about Netflix's technical preparations. Brian Rolapp, the NFL's chief media and business officer, expressed optimism about Netflix's bandwidth capabilities, underlining the necessity of adapting to the increasing demand for live sports streaming. The NFL has broadened its strategy to include platforms beyond traditional television networks, evidenced by previous partnerships with Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV, and now Netflix.
The timing of the Christmas games is also deft, as the NFL seeks to capture viewership during the holiday season, traditionally dominated by the NBA. Last year's Christmas Day NFL games averaged 28.68 million viewers, with the Raiders vs. Chiefs matchup leading at 29.48 million. This indicates strong existing interest and signals to Netflix effective market potential.
But Netflix’s interests don’t stop with the NFL. The streaming service has set its eyes on more high-profile events, including the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups and regular WWE content starting January 2025. The NFL partnership guarantees at least one Christmas Day game on Netflix through 2026, with Amazon continuing its agreement for games on any Thursday Christmas.
Through these innovations, Netflix is not only trying to engage its audience with live sports but is also marking its presence across multiple platforms. "Everyone will have to get used to finding their content across various distribution services," said Crakes, highlighting the evolution of viewer habits and platform strategies.
With groundbreaking matchups on the line and the added spice of superstar performances, this Christmas Day promises to be memorable for football fans and betters alike. Netflix is not just bringing its library of shows and movies but is actively engaging audiences with real-time content—creating holiday entertainment at its finest.
