Jerry Jones, the outspoken owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has voiced his strong support for the NFL’s continued presence on Christmas Day, regardless of the day of the week on which the holiday falls. This year, Christmas coincides with a Wednesday, and the NFL has partnered with Netflix to exclusively stream a doubleheader featuring the Steelers versus the Chiefs, followed by the Ravens versus the Texans. Jones envisions this becoming a permanent fixture in the NFL calendar, expressing his desire for the league to “be there on Christmas,” regardless of the specific day. This forward-thinking approach aligns with the NFL’s strategic expansion into non-traditional broadcasting platforms and its ambition to capture viewership on a major holiday.
The NFL’s decision to schedule games on Christmas Day marks a significant shift in the holiday sports landscape. Traditionally, the NBA held dominion over Christmas Day, showcasing its marquee matchups throughout the day. However, the NFL’s foray into this territory has created direct competition for viewers. While the NBA still schedules games on Christmas, they now face competition from the NFL’s growing presence on the holiday. This year, the absence of NHL games on Christmas further highlights the NFL’s strategic move to capitalize on the holiday viewership. The NFL’s partnership with Netflix amplifies this shift, offering exclusive access to the Christmas doubleheader only to Netflix subscribers, further solidifying the NFL’s position in the holiday sports arena.
The 2024 Christmas Day games hold particular significance due to their exclusive availability on Netflix, a first for the streaming giant. This arrangement represents a significant step for both the NFL and Netflix. For the NFL, it signifies a willingness to explore alternative broadcasting models and reach a wider audience through a popular streaming platform. For Netflix, it marks a bold venture into live sports streaming, a segment with immense potential but also considerable technical challenges. The success of these Christmas games could influence future collaborations between the NFL and streaming services, marking a new era in sports broadcasting.
The selection of the games for the Christmas doubleheader carries strategic implications. The Steelers versus the Chiefs matchup features two of the league’s most storied franchises, promising a high-profile clash that is sure to attract a large audience. The inclusion of the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs adds further allure to the game. The second game, Ravens versus Texans, holds intriguing storylines as well. The performance of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will undoubtedly draw attention, while the Texans, playing in their home city of Houston, will hope to deliver a strong performance in front of their fans. The halftime show featuring Beyoncé, a Houston native, adds a significant entertainment element to the game, potentially attracting viewers beyond traditional football fans.
The NFL’s multi-year agreement with Netflix signals a commitment to expand its reach through streaming platforms. The deal includes streaming rights for at least one holiday game in 2025 and 2026, indicating a long-term strategy to embrace digital distribution channels. Netflix’s foray into live sports streaming aligns with its broader ambition to offer diverse content to its subscribers. The NFL games provide a compelling offering, especially considering the massive audience that NFL football attracts. The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations, with the NFL gaining access to a wider audience through Netflix and Netflix bolstering its content portfolio with highly sought-after live sports.
However, Netflix faces pressure to deliver a seamless streaming experience for the Christmas Day games. Prior issues with live stream feeds, notably during the Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson fight, have raised concerns about the platform’s ability to handle the high demand associated with live sports events. A successful broadcast of the Christmas Day games is crucial for Netflix to build confidence in its live streaming capabilities and solidify its position as a viable platform for future live sports broadcasts. The NFL’s reputation is also at stake, as any technical glitches could negatively impact the viewing experience and potentially deter future partnerships with streaming services. The success of this venture rests heavily on the smooth execution of the live stream, a challenge that Netflix must overcome to solidify its presence in the live sports streaming arena.
