Netflix paid a king’s ransom to join the NFL broadcast coverage team. They paid $150 million for the exclusive broadcast rights to this year’s Christmas Day telecasts, which will continue to be on the streaming service through 2026.
Netflix Invests $150 Million To Stream NFL Games on Christmas Day
Which NFL Games Will Be Played on Christmas?
When the NFL schedule was released in May, fans immediately got excited about both Christmas Day matchups.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. ET. Then, the Houston Texans will host the Baltimore Ravens at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Both games will air exclusively on Netflix, as the streaming provider reached a deal with the NFL to broadcast the Christmas games.
“Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live — tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer. “There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world,” added NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder. “The NFL on Christmas has become a tradition and to partner with Netflix, a service whose biggest day of the year is typically this holiday, is the perfect combination to grow this event globally for NFL fans.”
Star Quarterbacks Highlight NFL’s 2024 Christmas Slate
Fans are obviously pumped about having two games to watch on the holiday, but they’re also excited about seeing some of the league’s top quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and C.J. Stroud.
While these games were highly anticipated when the NFL schedule was initially released, they still look fun after nearly four months of football.
Let it me known that Lamar Jackson WILL be watching Beyonce at halftime on Christmas Day.
"Sorry Harbaugh." 😂 pic.twitter.com/JDvYJJ8K3m
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) December 23, 2024
All four teams have clinched a playoff spot but continue to battle for seeding. The Texans and Ravens should be a fun matchup, while the Chiefs and Steelers are both contenders.
It’s no surprise that Mahomes and the Chiefs are playing on Christmas. Kansas City is trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Their dynastic run has been extremely impressive, and all eyes are on the Chiefs since tight end Travis Kelce started dating pop superstar Taylor Swift. It’s possible Swift will be in attendance for the Christmas game since her “Eras Tour” concluded on Dec. 8.
While the Steelers may not have a star at quarterback like the other Christmas teams, they could still present a challenging matchup for the Chiefs. Mike Tomlin’s team is well-coached and strong defensively, and Acrisure Stadium is a tough environment to play in.
In the second game, it makes sense that Jackson and the Ravens are playing on Christmas. After all, Jackson is now a two-time MVP, and his games have become must-see TV. Jackson might be the most electrifying and entertaining player in the league, so he’s perfect for a huge prime-time audience.