Netflix is set to make Christmas extra special for sports fans this year by hosting its inaugural NFL Christmas Day games. Mark your calendars for December 25, 2024, when the streaming giant will air two high-profile matchups live, binding the joyous holiday spirit with the thrill of professional football.
Beginning with the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 PM ET, fans are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting game. This will take place at Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers. Preceding the match, Netflix will kick off the day with an elaborate two-hour pregame show starting at 11 AM ET. Notable personalities, including former players and analysts like Kay Adams, Drew Brees, and Robert Griffin III, will provide expert analysis leading up to the kickoff. Adding to the festive ambiance, music icon Mariah Carey will perform her classic holiday hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," as part of the pregame celebration, setting the tone for the day.
The second game features the Baltimore Ravens facing off against the Houston Texans at 4:30 PM ET at NRG Stadium. Pregame coverage begins at 4 PM ET, featuring various commentators and live updates. The halftime show is already generating buzz, as Beyoncé, the Houston native and global superstar, is scheduled to perform from her recent album, "Cowboy Carter," and she is rumored to bring out special guests to amp up the excitement even more.
But why is this such big news? This monumental move makes NFL Christmas Gameday the first time live NFL games will stream on Netflix, highlighting the platform's significant push to integrate live sporting events. According to Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, "There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, which compare to the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix," she said, setting expectations high for their sports broadcasting capabilities.
With previous forays showing mixed results, Netflix appears determined to rectify past streaming issues. Following the debacle during the live stream of the highly anticipated Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, the platform pledged to learn from its mistakes. This ambitious NFL double-header will be supported by significant technological upgrades and improved systems. Jonathan Mussman, VP Production, Nonfiction & Live, expressed confidence, saying, "The NFL Christmas is a special day for Netflix and its viewers," hinting at the company’s dedication to delivering high-quality streaming experiences.
Last year’s NFL Christmas games averaged 28.68 million viewers, indicating the potential audience Netflix may attract. The Chiefs vs. Steelers game alone drew the highest viewership with 29.48 million viewers. The streaming service seems eager to capitalize on such massive interest, and this significant deal between Netflix and the NFL reportedly secured $150 million from the league for these games just this season.
Netflix is also committed to delivering international accessibility for its users. The games will be offered globally, providing options for local languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German due to its expansive subscriber base of 282.3 million across 190 countries. This strategic move will also take note of the various local broadcasters covering the games, ensuring fans can catch all the action either on local TV stations or through the NFL+ subscription app for mobile viewing support.
Besides the remarkable pregame and halftime performances, Netflix is also showcasing its multi-layered production capabilities. The games will utilize more than 100 cameras to capture every moment with precision quality, aiming for the unique cinematic experience Netflix is known for. Partnering with CBS Sports and various production teams, Netflix seeks to establish its identity within the sports broadcasting domain.
Both games will feature top-tier commentators. The Chiefs vs. Steelers will have Ian Eagle and JJ Watt bringing the play-by-play excitement straight to viewers, ensuring the audience is engaged throughout the match. Meanwhile, the Ravens vs. Texans will feature Noah Eagle alongside Greg Olsen, whose insights should make the game even more thrilling to watch.
With these NFL Christmas games on Netflix positioning the platform for future sports broadcasting, the streaming service is likely setting the stage for more innovative live sports offerings. The NFL games are just the tip of the iceberg as Netflix continues boosting its sports programming, already eyeing future events, including Women’s World Cup matches secured recently.
Get ready for what might be one of Netflix’s biggest broadcasting events since its inception. The convergence of holiday merriment and nail-biting football is just around the corner.
