Netflix NFL games/ Christmas Day NFL/ streaming sports/ Kansas City vs. Pittsburgh/ Baltimore vs. Houston/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ For the first time, Netflix will stream two NFL games on Christmas Day, starting with Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City and followed by Baltimore vs. Houston. With a three-year contract worth $150 million annually, Netflix is stepping further into live sports. The games, available globally in five languages, mark another milestone in the NFL’s streaming expansion.
Netflix Streams NFL Games on Christmas: Quick Looks
- Historic Broadcast: Netflix streams its first-ever NFL games globally in over 190 countries.
- Christmas Matchups: Pittsburgh hosts Kansas City, followed by Baltimore vs. Houston.
- Streaming Growth: NFL’s streaming ventures include deals with Amazon Prime and YouTube TV.
- Playoff Implications: Kansas City can clinch the top AFC seed with a win.
- Celebrity Lineup: Beyoncé and Mariah Carey add holiday flair to the event.
Netflix Christmas NFL: Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore & Houston
Deep Look
Netflix is set to make history on Christmas Day, broadcasting two live NFL games for the first time. This bold move into live sports represents a significant shift for the streaming platform, which traditionally focused on on-demand content. Dubbed “NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix,” the event will feature matchups between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, followed by the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans.
A Global Streaming Milestone
Netflix’s 282.3 million subscribers across 190 countries will be able to watch the games, marking the first time the NFL has partnered with a single outlet for worldwide distribution. Subscribers can tune in with commentary available in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.
For viewers in the competing teams’ local markets—Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Houston—the games will also air on CBS affiliates, as required by NFL policy for over-the-air access. Fans in the U.S. can also stream on mobile devices via NFL+.
Why the NFL Chose Netflix
The NFL’s decision to partner with Netflix underscores its broader push into streaming, a move driven by both viewership trends and financial gains. Netflix’s three-year deal, worth $150 million per year, follows the NFL’s other streaming agreements, including Thursday night games on Amazon Prime and Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.
The league’s decision to play games on Christmas Day stems from the growing popularity of its holiday matchups. Last year’s three Christmas games averaged 28.68 million viewers, with the Raiders vs. Chiefs game leading at 29.48 million. The scheduling aligns with the league’s goal to capture massive audiences during the holidays, even on a Wednesday—a day not typically reserved for NFL action.
Playoff Stakes and Scheduling
All four teams playing on Christmas have secured playoff berths, but there’s still plenty at stake. Kansas City (14-1) can lock in the AFC’s top seed, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, both 10-5, are tied for the AFC North lead, with Pittsburgh holding the tiebreaker. Houston (9-6) has already clinched the AFC South and currently holds the fourth seed.
To accommodate the games, teams played on Saturday, December 21, giving them the same turnaround as playing on a Sunday and then Thursday.
Addressing Technical Concerns
Netflix’s foray into live sports hasn’t been without challenges. A technical glitch during the November 14 Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight caused widespread streaming issues, with outages reported by 85,000 viewers. Netflix claims to have resolved those issues, stress-testing its systems ahead of the NFL games.
While the peak audience for the fight reached 65 million concurrent streams, it’s unlikely the Christmas games will match those numbers. The highest audience for an NFL-streamed game was 23 million, achieved during last season’s AFC wild-card game on Peacock.
Celebrity Additions and Entertainment
Fans are also speculating whether Taylor Swift might appear to support Travis Kelce, her rumored boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs star. While unconfirmed, her presence would undoubtedly draw even more attention.
Netflix’s Broader Sports Ambitions
This Christmas marks just the beginning of Netflix’s expansion into live sports. The platform has already secured major deals, including exclusive U.S. rights to the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups. Its partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment begins in January 2025 with “Monday Night Raw.”
Under its current NFL agreement, Netflix will host at least one Christmas Day game in 2025 and 2026, with Amazon Prime carrying night games when Christmas falls on a Thursday.
What to Expect
The Christmas Day games signal a new era for both Netflix and the NFL, combining the league’s vast popularity with the streaming giant’s global reach. With high stakes on the field and dazzling entertainment off it, fans can expect a holiday experience like no other.
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