Netflix has taken another big step into the world of live sports. The streaming service has struck a deal with the NFL, the largest American sports league, to broadcast two live games this Christmas. The competitions will also be shown on Netflix in the coming years.
Why is this important?
Although Netflix has long said that it has no interest in live streaming sporting events, it appears to have changed its mind recently. For example, it has signed a massive deal with WWE to broadcast WWE Raw weekly starting in 2025. Additionally, the streaming service will soon show the much-discussed boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. By now also focusing on American football, Netflix is showing more ambition. Especially in the United States, the NFL is unparalleled in terms of popularity.News: Netflix's deal with the NFL includes at least four games. It's always about the regular Christmas competition matches. Netflix will stream two games on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, with at least one in 2025 and 2026. It is not known how much Netflix will pay for this deal with the NFL.
What does this deal mean for Netflix?
- Through this deal with the NFL, Netflix is buying the most popular sport in the United States. NFL games have dominated the list of most-watched broadcasts in the United States for years. For example, the three Christmas games last season attracted an average of 28.7 million viewers.
- This strategy shows that Netflix wants to focus more on live events. In their own words, they create “cultural moments.” In addition to live sporting events, Netflix has also focused on live comedy for some time. The advantage of live streaming is that the streaming service can attract more advertisers. With the introduction of subscription advertising, Netflix decided to tap into this revenue source a few years ago.
What does this deal mean for sports fans?
- Now that Netflix streams at least one NFL game every year, it's going to get even more difficult for die-hard NFL fans in the US to watch it all. There are not only television partners who each broadcast their share of matches. In addition, there are already four streaming services: Netflix, Peacock, Amazon and ESPN+ that have managed to acquire part of the rights.
- An NFL fan who wants to watch all games in the US next season will have to pay $855.86 (€787).
- All of this brings the total annual value of NFL rights to more than $11 billion (€10.1 billion).
