Netflix has long resisted live sports programming, but that stance has dramatically shifted. With 270 million subscribers, Netflix has secured a landmark deal with the NFL to stream Christmas Day games exclusively for the next three years.
This is a significant pivot for the streaming giant, which has traditionally focused on on-demand content rather than live broadcasts. Starting in 2024, viewers can catch exciting matchups like the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Houston Texans live on Netflix.
This move positions Netflix as a serious contender in the live sports arena, promising to draw massive audiences and potentially shift the balance of power in the streaming world.
While financial details remain undisclosed, comparisons can be drawn with Amazon’s $1 billion per year deal for Thursday Night Football, suggesting Netflix made a significant investment.
Given the NFL’s massive appeal and the high stakes of live sports broadcasting, it’s clear that Netflix is committing considerable resources to ensure the success of this venture. “We decided to take a big bet on live — tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria. “There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts.”
This strategic move not only diversifies Netflix’s content portfolio but also leverages the immense popularity of NFL football to attract and retain subscribers.
This shift follows Netflix’s other major sports acquisition: the $5 billion deal to stream WWE’s Monday Night Raw starting in 2025. This bold move into live sports broadcasting highlights Netflix’s ambition to become a leading player in this domain.
Additionally, Netflix will air the highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on July 20, 2024, from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. These high-profile events signify Netflix’s commitment to offering diverse and dynamic live content, appealing to a wide range of sports fans and potentially transforming the way audiences engage with live sports.
Despite previous hesitations, Netflix’s foray into live sports in 2024 signals a new era for the streaming giant, potentially paving the way for future deals with major sports leagues like the UFC. The shift is particularly notable given Netflix’s historical focus on scripted content and original series. With its vast subscriber base, Netflix is poised to become a dominant player in live sports streaming. This move not only enhances its competitive edge against other streaming services but also opens up new revenue streams and growth opportunities. As Netflix continues to expand its live sports offerings, it’s clear that the company is betting big on the future of live sports in streaming, setting the stage for exciting developments in the industry.
Professional Fights
On top of the big win by signing a deal with the NFL, Netflix is now dabbling in fight sports. This can spark a new era in viewership beyond your typical Pay-Per-View format. With the highly anticipated boxing card featuring the return of Iron Mike Tyson as he faces YouTube star turned professional boxer Jake Paul, there will be a lot of eyes on the streaming platform and questions about the future.
There probably couldn’t be a better way to launch live streaming of fight sports on the platform short of booking a UFC card. The streaming era just seems to keep getting better since Netflix has doubled down on original content and is now getting into live sports streaming – the possibilities are endless. Let’s see what the future holds!
