Netflix Partners With CBS Sports for Christmas Day NFL Games

Netflix announced that it will collaborate with CBS Sports to bring National Football League (NFL) games to the streaming platform on Christmas Day.

The streaming giant and Paramount Global-backed network inked a one-year production deal but with the exclusion of the game's broadcasters.

More Netflix Shows Leaked Online in Biggest Animation Leak in History — Alexander Shatov via Unsplash

Netflix, CBS Sports to Work Together for NFL Holiday Games

According to the reports, the on-air talent for the game is expected to be announced at a later date. CBS Sports currently employs Jim Nantz and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo as lead NFL announcers.

The agreement marked the first livestream deal of Netflix for football. Netflix previously landed a three-season NFL deal. The NFL's 2024 Christmas Day doubleheader will be exclusively available to stream for Netflix subscribers.

"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," said Bela Bajaria, chief content officer at Netflix, in a press release last May.

Netflix Secures NFL Streams, Capitalizes Huge Audience From Sport

Netflix has been exploring livestreaming of events. Some of these are centered on catering to massive fandoms like comedy, reality TV, sports, and more. However, the company emphasized that the NFL is capable of attracting a huge audience.

The NFL is one of the most viewed games in the U.S. The average viewership of a regular season of the league last 2023 was estimated to be around 17.9 million.

In December 2024, Netflix will be hosting the Super Bowl LVII-winning Chiefs vs Steelers and Ravens vs. Texans. It would also be followed by the same Christmas Day offering in 2025 and 2026.

"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," said Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution.