In a groundbreaking move, Netflix has announced a partnership with CBS Sports to produce two National Football League (NFL) games set to air on Christmas Day this year. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Netflix as it ventures into live sports streaming for the first time, bringing one of the world’s most popular sports leagues to its global audience.
CBS Sports, a subsidiary of Paramount Global, will handle the production of the games, ensuring that viewers enjoy the high-quality broadcast experience they’ve come to expect from one of America’s premier sports networks. The Christmas Day games will be streamed on Netflix, while CBS retains the broadcast rights for over-the-air television in the competing teams’ cities. Additionally, NFL+, the league’s live-streaming service, will broadcast the games on mobile devices across the United States.
This partnership is part of a broader, exclusive three-season agreement between Netflix and the NFL, first announced in May. Under this deal, Netflix will stream at least one NFL game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026, further solidifying the streaming giant’s foray into live sports.
The NFL is the most-watched sports league in the U.S., and its inclusion on Netflix is a strategic move aimed at attracting a broader audience to the platform. The NFL has long been a powerhouse in sports broadcasting, with this year’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers drawing a record-breaking 123.7 million viewers. By integrating live NFL games into its content lineup, Netflix is poised to capture the attention of the vast American football fanbase.
This partnership highlights Netflix’s commitment to diversifying its content offerings and signifies the increasing convergence between traditional television and streaming platforms. As more viewers shift towards digital platforms for entertainment, Netflix’s entry into live sports could set a new precedent in the streaming industry.
Moreover, this collaboration with CBS Sports demonstrates Netflix’s ability to secure high-profile content that appeals to a wide demographic, potentially leading to increased subscriber growth and engagement during the holiday season.
With the NFL being a major draw for sports enthusiasts, Netflix’s move into live football streaming will likely attract die-hard fans and casual viewers, offering them a new way to experience their favorite sport. As the first NFL games stream live on Netflix this Christmas, the partnership with CBS Sports will be closely watched as a potential game-changer in sports entertainment.
