NFL and Netflix: A New Holiday Tradition

In a groundbreaking move for football fans, the NFL is set to establish a new holiday tradition by playing games on Christmas Day for the first time on a Wednesday. While Christmas games have been a rarity in the league's history, this year marks a significant change as the NFL partners with Netflix to bring the excitement of the gridiron to millions of viewers.

What to Expect This Christmas Day

Kicking off this Wednesday, the two games will showcase four fierce teams: the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. This unique scheduling comes as Christmas 2023 falls midweek, diverging from the league's typical game calendar, which usually features games on weekends and select Mondays.

Netflix Enters Live Sports Broadcasting

Interestingly, the NFL's partnership with Netflix represents the streaming service's debut into live sports broadcasting. Netflix has gradually expanded its sporting content over the past year, previously airing events like The Netflix Cup in golf and The Netflix Slam in tennis, and even a high-profile exhibition fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. Additionally, Netflix has secured rights to air WWE Monday Night Raw starting in January, as well as plans for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031.

A Lucrative Deal

Under a lucrative $150 million deal with Netflix, the NFL will not only feature Christmas Day games this year but has also agreed to continue this festive tradition for the next three seasons. The deal ensures at least two games will be played on Christmas this season, and a commitment for at least one game during the subsequent years.

Fair Play Considerations

To ensure fair play and adequate rest, the NFL has cleverly scheduled these Christmas matches following a Saturday lineup for the involved teams. This setup allows for a three-day recovery period akin to that of a typical turnaround from a Sunday afternoon game to a Thursday night game—an innovative tactic that helps the league sidestep complications associated with an unusual midweek game.

The Growing Popularity of Christmas Games

As Christmas games have become increasingly popular, drawing impressive viewership—over 28 million people tuned in last year—the NFL has solidified its commitment to continuing this seasonal tradition. Furthermore, next year, Amazon Prime Video plans to feature a Christmas game as part of its 'Thursday Night Football' offerings, ensuring that the festive football spirit is alive and well.

The Future of NFL Christmas Games

With massive ratings and lucrative deals, it appears that NFL Christmas games are not just a passing phase; they are here to stay, bringing joy and excitement to fans across the nation this holiday season. Are you ready for a Christmas filled with football? Tune in on Netflix and get in on the action!