Netflix is making waves this Christmas Day by broadcasting NFL games live for the first time as part of its new partnership with the league. On December 25, viewers can tune in to see the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans. This exciting lineup is set to attract NFL fans and holiday viewers alike.
The doubleheader begins with the Chiefs and Steelers game kicking off at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET, followed by the Ravens vs. Texans starting at 1:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM ET. The games can be streamed live on Netflix, and for viewers outside of the streaming service's home markets, the NFL+ mobile app will provide access as well. With Netflix reaching out toward live sports, the excitement around the Christmas games marks a significant evolution for the platform.
Those eager to watch the game without waiting for it to be uploaded can enjoy live streams – but they would need to be Netflix subscribers. Every Netflix plan, even the Standard with ads option, will give viewers access to both games, albeit with some advertisements sprinkled throughout the broadcast. For NFL fans who have the NFL+ subscription, streaming via the app is also viable, allowing mobile access to the matches.
To kick off the festivities, Netflix viewers can catch the 'NFL Christmas Gameday' live pre-show, which will offer auditions of the latest games, news, and commentary before the action begins. Entertaining the audience on this festive day will also be two powerhouses of the music industry, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Carey is slated to perform her iconic hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You" before the first game, marking her return to holiday specials. Meanwhile, the halftime show of the Ravens-Texans game will feature Beyoncé performing songs from her recent album "Cowboy Carter" live for the first time.
Netflix's foray onto Christmas Day with the NFL is part of its broader strategy of entering live programming. Just recently, Netflix shelled out $150 million for the rights to air two games this Christmas as part of their agreement with the NFL, ensuring they'll see similar matchups on the holiday for the next three seasons. Clearly, Netflix hopes to convert this one-time event of festive cheer and football fandom to become part of their regular programming.
These Christmas games come at what appears to be the right time, as all participating teams—Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans—each have playoff ambitions this season. The Chiefs arrive as the league's top team with 14-1 against the 10-5 Steelers, who are struggling to maintain their positions. Baltimore, at 10-5, holds strong hopes as they go against the Texans, though the latter has clinched their division, the AFC South.
While the announcement of the Christmas Day games has generated substantial excitement, it has sparked criticism too. Some players expressed valid reservations about playing on Christmas, commenting on logistically demanding schedules. "You never want to play this many games in this short of time. It's just not great for your body," expressed Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs. Fellow teammate Travis Kelce echoed similar thoughts about the challenge of playing multiple games so quickly, raising concerns about physical wellness.
Sports commentators have also chimed in. Chris Russo, renown sports radio figure, criticized the scheduling, questioning the viability of holding NFL games on Christmas Day. "Who the hell can watch an NFL game on Christmas Day at 1 o’clock? I can’t," he vocalized, expressing skepticism for the event overshadowing family gatherings during the holiday.
Despite the mixed reception toward this decision from some NFL players and pundits, Netflix is optimistic about this new venture and believes it will attract substantial viewership. This year, they immediate plan to reach similar viewership numbers for the Christmas broadcasts as CBS, Fox, and ESPN have seen previously, with each network drawing nearly 30 million viewers last year alone.
Of course, there’s concern about the technology side after Netflix's previous livestreaming event for the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight was met with technical difficulties mirroring issues of buffering and glitches. Nevertheless, Netflix assures fans following revisions of their streaming technologies, they are ready for the Christmas challenge. The platform has reportedly adjusted its content delivery and streaming protocols to handle the expected demand for the NFL games.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, expressed enthusiasm for the live sports venture, stating, "Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live — tappinginto massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more. There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise,that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excitedthat the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix."
Looking to the future, Netflix aims to utilize these high-profile broadcasts as part of their broader goal of hosting significant annual sports events. The NFL Christmas games could very well mark the start of Netflix carving out its space within the larger sports broadcasting arena. With anticipation building for what promises to be exhilarating match-ups on Christmas Day and electrifying performances from international music sensations, fans can expect Netflix to make waves during their holiday festivities.