The NFL will air three games on Christmas Day in 2025, the first two streaming on Netflix and the third as part of Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” package (the holiday falls on a Thursday), an industry source confirmed Tuesday. The news was first reported by John Ourand of Puck.
Netflix landed a three-season deal for exclusive NFL Christmas Day rights last May. The streamer debuted its live NFL programming on Christmas Day 2024 with two games: the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans. After a few early hiccups, the broadcast was largely successful. Most notably, Netflix seemed to solve most of the major buffering and freezing issues that plagued it a month prior during a boxing event headlined by Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul.
Advertisement
Last year’s Christmas Day Ravens-Texans game averaged 24.3 million viewers, while the Chiefs-Steelers game drew 24.1 million viewers across Netflix and local CBS stations in the participating markets, per Nielsen. A Beyonce halftime show during the Ravens-Texans game averaged 27 million viewers. The game numbers were down five million viewers from Christmas Day 2023 on CBS but did rank as the most-watched NFL games ever on a streaming service.
What’s next for NFL and Netflix partnership?
The Athletic has written often about Netflix’s sports ambitions over the past 12 months — and with good reason. The company is a behemoth with more than 300 million subscribers globally, including 81 million in the U.S., and a market capitalization north of $395 billion. The NFL has been successful because it is always looking at futures. That was the case when it aligned with Fox in the 1990s and, more recently, Amazon. This streaming triple-header on Christmas Day is something you should pay attention to as a sports fan because Netflix being any kind of player for upcoming live sports rights will change the landscape of sports consumption and cause consternation for the traditional linear powers given its financial might. Last year, the NFL’s viewership for Netflix’s Christmas Day games was below what linear TV delivered on Christmas in 2023 but still averaged 26.5 million U.S. viewers, which broke the record for the most-streamed live sporting event ever in the United States. It’s looking more and more likely that the NFL and Netflix are going to be intertwined come the next decade. — Richard Deitsch, media reporter
(Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
A look at the Lions’ undrafted free agents and which of them could stick with the team
The Lions have had at least one undrafted free agent make their initial 53-man roster each of the last 15 years, which includes the first four seasons of the Brad Holmes-Dan Campbell era.They do a good job giving UDFAs a fair shake, and even UDFAs who didn’t make the initial roster have managed to settle into a role in Detroit. Some of the standouts over the years include Brock Wright, Jerry Jacobs, Hogan Hatten and Trevor Nowaske — three of whom played significant snaps last year. Several others have been able to lock down jobs on the practice squad as they develop into NFL players.AdvertisementSo, then, what’s in store for the 2025 class? Who are the prospects most likely to keep the streak alive? Or does it come to an end this year, considering how strong this roster is?Let’s talk […]
Fantasy Football 2025: QB Cameron Ward player profile
Cameron Ward is the consensus top rookie quarterback: The former Miami Hurricane was the top overall pick in the NFL draft to the Tennessee Titans and should be the top rookie quarterback selected in both redraft and dynasty drafts. Don’t expect him to be an immediate top-12 quarterback: While quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels have excelled as rookies, Ward’s lack of rushing production and supporting cast on the Titans will limit his upside. Final chance to claim 25% off PFF+: Use code DRAFT25 and unlock access to player grades, fantasy tools and the 2025 Draft Guide Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes PFF’s Fantasy Football Player Profile series delivers the most in-depth fantasy football analysis available for the 2025 season. Using PFF’s exclusive data, we evaluate player performance, competition for touches and how teammates and coaching staffs will impact each player's fantasy […]
Wegen Mega-Angebot? – Ancelotti sagt Brasilien ab
Mit dieser Wendung hätten wohl die Wenigsten gerechnet!Die Zukunft von Trainer Carlo Ancelotti beschäftigt nicht nur Real Madrid. Auch der brasilianische Verband hat sich große Hoffnungen gemacht, den Italiener als neuen Nationaltrainer gewinnen zu können. Doch das ist jetzt vom Tische. Ancelotti hat Brasilien abgesagt! Das berichten spanische und brasilianische Medien übereinstimmend.Das bedeutet aber nicht, dass er auch bei Real bleiben wird. Denn: Sollte er die Saison wirklich titellos beenden, wird seine Zeit – trotz Vertrags bis 2026 – wohl vorzeitig enden.Darum platzte jetzt ein Brasilien-Deal: Grund dafür soll zum einen der Zeitpunkt sein. Brasilien möchte bereits zum Juni einen neuen Coach, weil zwei wichtige Spiele in der WM-Quali anstehen (4. Juni in Ecuador, 9. Juni gegen Paraguay). Einen späteren Antritt des Amts wollen die Brasilien-Bosse nicht.Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Zum anderen geht es ums Geld. Ancelotti selbst soll die mögliche Trennung […]
Xander Bogaerts’ first homer of the year is a welcome glimmer for the Padres
SAN DIEGO — One notable streak finally ended Saturday when the San Diego Padres scored a run after 30 consecutive innings without scoring. It had been their longest such drought since 1981.Three days later, in front of the second-largest crowd in Petco Park history, the end finally came for two other streaks that were just as conspicuous.AdvertisementFor the first time in 17 games, Xander Bogaerts drove in a run. Six innings later, and for the first time in 2025, the Padres’ $280 million shortstop homered.Afterward, he spoke as much about collective satisfaction as he did about individual relief.“We know how we’ve been playing, and we got off to a nice start at home,” Bogaerts said after supplying resounding insurance in Tuesday’s 7-4 win against the San Francisco Giants. “So many games unbeaten, and Tampa comes in and, I mean, they […]
Taylor Swift is still missing as Jason and Travis Kelce party with unrecognisable Ben Affleck
The worlds of professional football and Hollywood collided this week as Jason and Travis Kelce welcomed Ben Affleck to their New Heights podcast. Known for its entertaining blend of brotherly banter and NFL insights, the show took a cinematic turn with the Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker joining the conversation.Kayla Nicole shared a powerful backstage videoAffleck, a longtime Boston sports fan and seasoned storyteller, seemed right at home as he reflected on his career, cracked jokes, and even touched on his football allegiances. Introduced by Jason Kelce in an enthusiastic, movie-trailer-style monologue, the actor was given a rundown that included credits for Argo, Good Will Hunting, Gone Girl, The Town, and his memorable Dunkin' Donuts Super Bowl ads. Jason even teased Affleck's return in The Accountant 2."That's the best f***ing introduction I've ever had in my life," Affleck replied with a […]
DEL-Meister – Der Berliner Holzbär-Trick
Ein zwei Meter großer, aus Kiefernholz geschnitzter Eisbär begleitete den DEL-Rekordmeister aus Berlin auf dem Weg zum elften Titel. Er stand in der Kabine gleich neben der Taktiktafel, auf den Schultern trägt er den Schläger des am 29. Januar an Krebs gestorbenen Tobias Eder († 26). Neben ihm stehen zwei Holzpfähle mit zwölf Fächern. Nach jedem Play-off-Sieg wurde ein Fach mit einem Puck gefüllt. Auf dem zwölften und letzten Puck, der den Titelgewinn symbolisiert, klebt ein Foto von Eder, wie er den Meisterpokal hochhält – aus dem Jahr zuvor. Das Gewinnen sind die Eisbären Berlin gewohnt. Doch noch nie war ein Titel so emotional wie dieser. Die Zeremonie nach dem 7:0 im fünften Finalspiel gegen die Kölner Haie geriet zu einer großen Gedenkfeier. Immer wieder stimmten die Zuschauer „Tobi-Eder“-Gesänge an, aus den Lautsprechern erklang Eders Lieblingslied „Viva la vida“ (Coldplay). […]
Related
A look at the Lions’ undrafted free agents and which of them could stick with the team
The Lions have had at least one undrafted free agent make their initial 53-man roster each of the last 15 years, which includes the first four seasons of the Brad Holmes-Dan Campbell era.They do a good job giving UDFAs a fair shake, and even UDFAs who didn’t make the initial roster have managed to settle into a role in Detroit. Some of the standouts over the years include Brock Wright, Jerry Jacobs, Hogan Hatten and Trevor Nowaske — three of whom played significant snaps last year. Several others have been able to lock down jobs on the practice squad as they develop into NFL players.AdvertisementSo, then, what’s in store for the 2025 class? Who are the prospects most likely to keep the streak alive? Or does it come to an end this year, considering how strong this roster is?Let’s talk […]
Fantasy Football 2025: QB Cameron Ward player profile
Cameron Ward is the consensus top rookie quarterback: The former Miami Hurricane was the top overall pick in the NFL draft to the Tennessee Titans and should be the top rookie quarterback selected in both redraft and dynasty drafts. Don’t expect him to be an immediate top-12 quarterback: While quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels have excelled as rookies, Ward’s lack of rushing production and supporting cast on the Titans will limit his upside. Final chance to claim 25% off PFF+: Use code DRAFT25 and unlock access to player grades, fantasy tools and the 2025 Draft Guide Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes PFF’s Fantasy Football Player Profile series delivers the most in-depth fantasy football analysis available for the 2025 season. Using PFF’s exclusive data, we evaluate player performance, competition for touches and how teammates and coaching staffs will impact each player's fantasy […]
Wegen Mega-Angebot? – Ancelotti sagt Brasilien ab
Mit dieser Wendung hätten wohl die Wenigsten gerechnet!Die Zukunft von Trainer Carlo Ancelotti beschäftigt nicht nur Real Madrid. Auch der brasilianische Verband hat sich große Hoffnungen gemacht, den Italiener als neuen Nationaltrainer gewinnen zu können. Doch das ist jetzt vom Tische. Ancelotti hat Brasilien abgesagt! Das berichten spanische und brasilianische Medien übereinstimmend.Das bedeutet aber nicht, dass er auch bei Real bleiben wird. Denn: Sollte er die Saison wirklich titellos beenden, wird seine Zeit – trotz Vertrags bis 2026 – wohl vorzeitig enden.Darum platzte jetzt ein Brasilien-Deal: Grund dafür soll zum einen der Zeitpunkt sein. Brasilien möchte bereits zum Juni einen neuen Coach, weil zwei wichtige Spiele in der WM-Quali anstehen (4. Juni in Ecuador, 9. Juni gegen Paraguay). Einen späteren Antritt des Amts wollen die Brasilien-Bosse nicht.Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Zum anderen geht es ums Geld. Ancelotti selbst soll die mögliche Trennung […]
Xander Bogaerts’ first homer of the year is a welcome glimmer for the Padres
SAN DIEGO — One notable streak finally ended Saturday when the San Diego Padres scored a run after 30 consecutive innings without scoring. It had been their longest such drought since 1981.Three days later, in front of the second-largest crowd in Petco Park history, the end finally came for two other streaks that were just as conspicuous.AdvertisementFor the first time in 17 games, Xander Bogaerts drove in a run. Six innings later, and for the first time in 2025, the Padres’ $280 million shortstop homered.Afterward, he spoke as much about collective satisfaction as he did about individual relief.“We know how we’ve been playing, and we got off to a nice start at home,” Bogaerts said after supplying resounding insurance in Tuesday’s 7-4 win against the San Francisco Giants. “So many games unbeaten, and Tampa comes in and, I mean, they […]
Taylor Swift is still missing as Jason and Travis Kelce party with unrecognisable Ben Affleck
The worlds of professional football and Hollywood collided this week as Jason and Travis Kelce welcomed Ben Affleck to their New Heights podcast. Known for its entertaining blend of brotherly banter and NFL insights, the show took a cinematic turn with the Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker joining the conversation.Kayla Nicole shared a powerful backstage videoAffleck, a longtime Boston sports fan and seasoned storyteller, seemed right at home as he reflected on his career, cracked jokes, and even touched on his football allegiances. Introduced by Jason Kelce in an enthusiastic, movie-trailer-style monologue, the actor was given a rundown that included credits for Argo, Good Will Hunting, Gone Girl, The Town, and his memorable Dunkin' Donuts Super Bowl ads. Jason even teased Affleck's return in The Accountant 2."That's the best f***ing introduction I've ever had in my life," Affleck replied with a […]
DEL-Meister – Der Berliner Holzbär-Trick
Ein zwei Meter großer, aus Kiefernholz geschnitzter Eisbär begleitete den DEL-Rekordmeister aus Berlin auf dem Weg zum elften Titel. Er stand in der Kabine gleich neben der Taktiktafel, auf den Schultern trägt er den Schläger des am 29. Januar an Krebs gestorbenen Tobias Eder († 26). Neben ihm stehen zwei Holzpfähle mit zwölf Fächern. Nach jedem Play-off-Sieg wurde ein Fach mit einem Puck gefüllt. Auf dem zwölften und letzten Puck, der den Titelgewinn symbolisiert, klebt ein Foto von Eder, wie er den Meisterpokal hochhält – aus dem Jahr zuvor. Das Gewinnen sind die Eisbären Berlin gewohnt. Doch noch nie war ein Titel so emotional wie dieser. Die Zeremonie nach dem 7:0 im fünften Finalspiel gegen die Kölner Haie geriet zu einer großen Gedenkfeier. Immer wieder stimmten die Zuschauer „Tobi-Eder“-Gesänge an, aus den Lautsprechern erklang Eders Lieblingslied „Viva la vida“ (Coldplay). […]
Be the first to leave a comment