December 25, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the NFL as it broadcasts two games on Christmas Day for the first time ever via the popular streaming platform Netflix. The performances feature the Pittsburgh Steelers facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans squaring off against the Baltimore Ravens. This unprecedented move is seen as part of the NFL's broader strategy to embrace streaming services, aiming for expanded reach and substantial revenue.
According to reports, the league stands to gain about $150 million for these two games alone, which is part of the three-year agreement reached with Netflix earlier this year. The streaming giant is already known for its collaborative efforts with the NFL through popular series such as 'Quarterback' and 'Receiver', and now it takes the leap to broadcast live sporting events, making it accessible to over 282.3 million subscribers across 190 countries.
Ben Roethlisberger, the former quarterback who led the Steelers to two Super Bowl victories, has vocalized his vehement criticism of the NFL’s decision to schedule games during the Christmas holiday. “It’s disgraceful for the league to do this. It just shows it’s about money. They say they want to minimize injuries, make the game safer and are going to have players active in the most violent game with three games played within 11 days,” Roethlisberger stated. He emphasizes the hypocrisy of the league—while promoting safety through various rules, they simultaneously capitalize on revenue during the festive season.
This Christmas Day doubleheader will commence with the Steelers hosting the Chiefs at 12:00 PM (CT) and will be followed by the Ravens visiting the Texans at 3:30 PM (CT), both games marketed as part of 'NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix'. During this live broadcast, viewers can enjoy performances by renowned musicians such as Mariah Carey and Beyoncé, adding to the holiday entertainment.
Both games are likely to draw substantial viewership, continuing the successful trend of NFL broadcasts during the holiday. Last year, games held on Christmas averaged approximately 28.68 million viewers, highlighting the league's tremendous visibility and drawing power even on non-traditional game days.
While this event is anticipated to attract millions, Roethlisberger sheds light on the physical toll it could take on players. He criticized the league's inconsistency with player safety protocols, stating, “There should be another way they can make more money and address this issue, this is not fair to the players. They talk about reducing injuries with rule changes… and do this.”
This busy holiday schedule means all four teams will have competed three times within just 11 days as they enter the Christmas matchups. Such rapid turnaround can strain athletes' bodies, raising concerns about recovery time and increasing injury risk.
The significance of these games extends beyond just gameplay; they mark a transition for the NFL as it navigates its growing relationship with streaming services amid changing media consumption habits. The pact with Netflix symbolizes not just the league’s adaptation but reveals its target audience who increasingly prefers to watch sports via streaming rather than traditional cable.
With this year serving as the beginning of what is anticipated to become an annual tradition, the NFL plans to continue introducing more games on Christmas Day for at least the next two seasons. Each match is set to be streamed globally, with coverage available in multiple languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German, broadening its reach even more.
The road leading to the NFL's Christmas Day games is paved with both excitement and controversy. The blend of high-stakes matchups involving playoff-bound teams coupled with celebrity performances creates buzzworthy events marketers can hardly ignore. Yet, beneath this razzle-dazzle, questions surrounding player safety will likely remain at the forefront as the league pushes for ever-increasing profits.
On social media, fans are already buzzing about the upcoming games, proving once again the undeniable influence and cultural footprint the NFL holds during the holiday season. It will be intriguing to see if the ratings meet expectations, and how Netflix adapts to the increased viewer traffic, especially after previous issues during high-demand events like the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight.
Whatever the outcome, these games are poised to be not just another date on the NFL calendar, but pivotal moments demonstrating the shifting tides of how the league engages fans globally. This Christmas, as the teams face off, the spotlight will be equally shared with the broader conversation around player welfare and the commercial interests dominating the sport.
