New York: Netflix announced on Wednesday its plans to stream two National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day this year, signaling a significant expansion in its live programming offerings.
Under the terms of an exclusive three-season agreement, Netflix will also stream at least one game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026, marking the platform’s inaugural foray into live football broadcasts.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s content chief, emphasized the unparalleled audience appeal of NFL football, stating, “there are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts.”
Also Read | Tennis Icon Serena Williams Announced as Host for 2024 ESPY Awards
While financial details were not disclosed, reports suggest that Netflix will pay less than $150 million per game, making this deal a substantial investment for the streaming giant.
The NFL, renowned as the most-watched sports league in the U.S., consistently garners massive viewership. The previous year’s Super Bowl, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, drew a record-breaking 123.7 million U.S. viewers.
Also Read | South Africa’s President Greenlights Landmark Health Reform Law
Rich Greenfield, a media analyst at LightShed, underscored the significance of NFL rights in the television advertising landscape, affirming, “If you are in the TV ad business, you need the NFL.”
In a strategic move to diversify its content offerings and bolster its advertising business, Netflix has increasingly turned to live events and sports. Earlier this year, the platform secured exclusive rights to World Wrestling Entertainment’s RAW in a deal exceeding $5 billion and live-streamed a high-profile tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
Also Read | Ranbir Kapoor-Starrer ‘Ramayana’ on Its Way to Becoming the Most Expensive Indian Film!
While Netflix had previously been hesitant to venture into sports rights due to their substantial financial commitments, this NFL agreement represents a pivotal shift in strategy.
Competitors in the streaming space, including Amazon Prime and Apple TV+, have also capitalized on the appeal of live sports, securing rights to Thursday Night Football and Friday Night Baseball, respectively.
