Jerry Jones, the outspoken owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has voiced his strong support for the NFL’s burgeoning tradition of scheduling games on Christmas Day, regardless of the day of the week on which the holiday falls. This year marks a significant step in this direction, as the NFL has partnered with Netflix to exclusively stream a Christmas Day doubleheader, featuring the Steelers vs. Chiefs and Ravens vs. Texans. Jones’s enthusiasm for Christmas Day football reflects a broader shift in the holiday sports landscape, with the NFL increasingly competing with the NBA for viewership on this traditionally basketball-centric day. This strategic move by the NFL underscores its commitment to expanding its reach and capitalizing on the immense popularity of Christmas Day viewership.
The NFL’s partnership with Netflix is a landmark deal that brings professional football to a streaming platform for holiday viewing. The agreement grants Netflix exclusive rights to broadcast the 2024 Christmas Day doubleheader, offering subscribers access to these games at no additional cost. This innovative approach aligns with changing viewership habits and provides a new avenue for fans to enjoy NFL action. While the NFL has scheduled games on Christmas Day in recent years, the exclusive streaming arrangement with Netflix elevates the significance of these games and highlights the league’s embrace of digital platforms.
This year’s Christmas Day doubleheader presents a unique scheduling challenge, as the holiday falls on a Wednesday. However, Jones’s assertion that the NFL should prioritize Christmas Day games irrespective of the day of the week signals a long-term commitment to this emerging tradition. Looking ahead, the NFL’s scheduling will need to account for the varying days on which Christmas falls, potentially requiring adjustments to the regular season schedule. In 2025, Christmas falls on a Thursday, which aligns with the existing Thursday Night Football format. However, the 2029 Christmas Day falling on a Tuesday presents a more complex scheduling scenario, requiring further consideration.
The selection of teams for the 2024 Christmas Day games reflects a mix of established powerhouses and intriguing matchups. The Steelers vs. Chiefs game pits a historic franchise against the reigning Super Bowl champions, promising a high-stakes contest. Meanwhile, the Ravens vs. Texans game features a playoff contender against a team showcasing young talent and hometown star power with Beyoncé’s scheduled halftime performance. The decision to schedule these particular teams on Christmas Day also necessitates adjustments to the Week 16 schedule, with all four teams playing their preceding games on Saturday to allow for adequate rest and preparation.
The NFL’s foray into Christmas Day programming directly challenges the NBA’s long-held dominance of the holiday sports landscape. For decades, the NBA held a near-monopoly on Christmas Day sports, showcasing marquee matchups and captivating audiences. While the NBA continues to schedule games on Christmas, the NFL’s increasing presence on the holiday creates competition for viewership. This dynamic reflects the NFL’s growing influence and its ambition to become a year-round entertainment destination. The absence of NHL games on Christmas Day further solidifies the NFL’s position as a primary sports offering on the holiday.
The Netflix-NFL partnership extends beyond the 2024 season, with the streaming giant securing the rights to broadcast at least one holiday game in 2025 and 2026. This multi-year agreement underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration for both parties. Netflix seeks to bolster its live sports offerings and attract a broader audience, while the NFL aims to expand its reach through a popular streaming platform. However, the success of this partnership faces scrutiny following technical difficulties experienced by Netflix subscribers during the recent Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. The streaming quality of the Christmas Day games will be a critical factor in determining the long-term viability of this partnership and the NFL’s future foray into streaming broadcasts.
