Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been vocal about his support for maintaining the NFL’s presence on Christmas Day every year. The 82-year-old billionaire believes the holiday provides an excellent platform for the league, regardless of which day of the week Christmas falls on. Speaking on Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan, Jones stated, “Christmas Day is Christmas Day, and it doesn’t wait around for what day it’s on. We want to be there on Christmas Day.” His remarks highlight his vision of a consistent NFL presence on December 25 for years to come.
Netflix Secures Exclusive Streaming Rights for Holiday Games
This year, Netflix signed a three-year agreement with the NFL to exclusively stream the 2024 Christmas Day doubleheader. Under the terms of the deal, subscribers will be able to watch the games at no additional cost. Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, called the agreement a significant step in the platform’s efforts to expand into live sports, citing the unmatched viewership of NFL games. The deal also includes rights to at least one holiday game in both 2025 and 2026, positioning Netflix as a significant player in the live sports streaming market.
The NFL’s decision to hold games on Christmas Day has been a success but demands thoughtful scheduling. This year, with the holiday landing on a Wednesday, teams participating in the doubleheader adjusted their schedules by playing Week 16 games earlier. The league will encounter additional challenges as the holiday continues to fall on different weekdays, such as Thursday in 2025 and Tuesday in 2029. However, the NFL’s experience in planning Thursday night games throughout the season offers valuable expertise in handling midweek matchups effectively.
Christmas Day Doubleheader Features High-Stakes Matchups
This year’s Christmas Day doubleheader features exciting matchups with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans. These games are expected to draw substantial attention due to their competitive nature and the star power of the participating teams. Adding to the spectacle, music icon Beyoncé will perform at halftime during the Ravens-Texans game in Houston, creating an even more memorable experience for viewers.
While Netflix’s deal with the NFL marks a significant step into live sports, the platform faces high expectations to deliver a flawless viewing experience. Concerns stem from technical issues during a recent live-streamed boxing match, raising questions about Netflix’s ability to handle the large audiences that NFL games attract. Ensuring a seamless broadcast is critical for Netflix to establish credibility in the live sports arena and prove its value as a partner to the NFL.
