On December 25, 2024, the NFL will introduce its Christmas Games to viewers, making history as the event broadcasts live on Netflix for the first time. This landmark occasion kicks off Week 17 of the NFL season with two high-stakes matchups: the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans. With both games set to begin during prime time, football fans are gearing up for what promises to be both thrilling and festive.
The first game is set to start at 7 p.m. CET, featuring the Chiefs, currently the top team with 14 wins and only one loss, as they take on the Steelers, who have also secured playoff contention with ten wins. The second game will commence at 10:30 p.m. CET, with the AFC battle between the Ravens and Texans, both teams vying for key playoff positions.
This collaboration between the NFL and Netflix is significant. For just $125 million per game, the streaming giant acquired the rights to air special games, marking Netflix’s serious entry onto the stage of live sports broadcasting. Until now, the platform has been primarily recognized for its award-winning series and documentaries. Besides the NFL, Netflix has engaged audiences with shows centered around sports themes and prominent athletes.
A notable highlight is the halftime performance during the Ravens vs. Texans game, featuring none other than global superstar Beyoncé. Fans are promised a spectacular show, as she prepares to perform selections from her forthcoming album "Cowboy Carter" live. It’s her first time headlining such a renowned event, adding another layer of anticipation to the games.
Netflix is ensuring viewers won’t miss any action. Interested fans can tune in for extensive pre-game coverage starting at 5 p.m. CET, offering insights and analyses leading up to both matchups. Unlike regular streaming content, these live broadcasts will be available on-demand only for a limited time: fans outside the U.S. can watch for up to 24 hours post-show, whereas U.S. subscribers will have only three hours after the live airing.
The streaming rights to live NFL games represent both opportunity and challenge for Netflix. Following prior difficulties during the live broadcast of the Paul vs. Tyson boxing match, whereby significant streaming interruptions were reported, the company is optimistic about overcoming technical challenges this time around. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, stated, “We are prepared and ready for this live event.”
Fans have several options to enjoy NFL games this season. Apart from regular Netflix streaming, they can opt for DAZN, which also offers comprehensive season coverage through their NFL Game Pass. This pass provides access to all live games, including the Christmas Games, for just 99 cents if purchased before December 30.
What’s more, the NFL games extend well beyond traditional viewership, targeting international audiences. NFL matches will stream live across 190 countries, and existing Netflix subscribers need no extra payments to access the live games.
Football aficionados can look forward to other engaging content from Netflix, such as documentaries connecting viewers to the NFL world. Building on this momentum, Netflix plans to add WWE's Raw and Smackdown shows starting from January 2025.
With groundbreaking events lined up for Christmas Day, Netflix's venture with the NFL marks the beginning of what could be a mutually beneficial partnership, drawing even more fans to their platform. Whether it’s catching the live thrill of game day or enjoying the halftime spectacle, the NFL Christmas Games are set to redefine how audiences experience sports entertainment.
Fans, mark your calendars: the NFL Christmas Games on Netflix are sure to be action-packed events enhancing the festive spirit!
