(AP) – Netflix will mark its biggest day since the site launched in 1998, streaming two NFL games for the first time on Christmas Day.
Netflix will air two NFL games on Christmas. Here's what you need to know by JOE REEDYAP Sports Writer Associated Press
Wednesday marks Netflix's biggest day since the site launched in 1998. Broadcast 2 NFL games first time.
“NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix” begins with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m. before Pittsburgh takes on Kansas City. Baltimore will play Houston in the second game.
The streaming giant agreed to a three-year deal to distribute Christmas Day games in May.
Where can I get the game?
Netflix's 282.3 million subscribers in more than 190 countries will be able to stream the game, marking the first time a single broadcaster will broadcast an NFL game worldwide. Netflix makes the game available in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.
The game will also be broadcast on CBS affiliate stations in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston. NFL policy states that games broadcast on cable or exclusively streamed must also be played on radio stations in competing teams' markets. For those who own NFL+, it will also be available on mobile devices in the United States.
Why is the NFL putting Christmas games on streaming platforms?
The biggest reason is money. The league is receiving $150 million from Netflix for two games this season. The NFL's transition to streaming also continues. Thursday Night Game is entering its third season on Amazon Prime Video, and the “Sunday Ticket” package moved to YouTube TV last year.
However, Christmas falls on a Wednesday, when games are normally not played.
That's true, but the league wasn't going to give up on Christmas based on ratings. The average number of viewers for last year's three games was 28.68 million. The early afternoon game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way with an average audience of 29.48 million viewers.
The Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens and Texans played on Saturday and had the same good results as if they had played on Sunday and then Thursday.
What is at stake for the teams playing?
All four have qualified for the playoffs in the AFC, but seeding remains up for grabs.
With a win over the Steelers, Kansas City (14-1) can lock up the top seed, which will be their home field for the entire playoffs with a first-round bye. Pittsburgh and Baltimore were tied for first in the AFC North at 10-5, with the Steelers holding the tiebreaker due to their better conference record.
Houston (9-6) holds the No. 4 seed after finishing the AFC South.
Has Netflix solved its streaming problems with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight?
Netflix hopes so. Brandon League, Netflix's vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said that while the system has been stress tested, some internet service providers also responded to the spikes that occurred before and during the Nov. 14 game. He said he reported feeling overwhelmed. .
The match peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, including 38 million concurrent streams in the United States. Nearly 85,000 viewers recorded outages and streaming issues before and during the game, according to the website Down Detector.
Is it possible that the same number are streaming the game as they are playing it?
Is it possible? yes. probably? no.
The largest audience for a streaming-exclusive NFL game was 23 million viewers on Peacock for last season's AFC Wild Card Game between the Miami Dolphins and the Chiefs.
Nielsen will measure viewership for games on Christmas Day and early numbers are expected to be released late Thursday afternoon.
When is demand likely to spike on Wednesday?
It will probably be earlier than kickoff for both games, especially around 5:45pm ET. It will be near halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, and that's when Beyoncé will perform.
What other celebrities will appear?
Mariah Carey starts the day with a recorded performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
It's unclear whether Taylor Swift will be in Pittsburgh to see her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift has been spending time in Kansas City since wrapping up her Elas tour two weeks ago.
How many Christmas games will Netflix air over the next two seasons?
The NFL plans to host at least two games on Dec. 25 in 2025 and 2026, and Netflix plans to host at least one game each year. Amazon Prime Video will hold a night game in time for Christmas next Thursday.
Interested in other sports on Netflix?
Netflix's worldwide partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment will begin on January 6th when “Monday Night Raw” moves to the streaming service.
On Friday, Netflix secured a spot in the United States for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cups.
