The NFL is making streaming a centerpiece of its holiday programming, confirming a three-game slate for Christmas Day 2025. Two games will stream on Netflix, and a third will air on Amazon Prime Video.
This move reinforces the league’s growing alignment with digital platforms. While Amazon’s Christmas game is part of its existing “Thursday Night Football” package because the holiday falls on a Thursday, Netflix’s involvement stems from its exclusive three-year Christmas Day deal announced in 2023.
Netflix debuted its first live NFL broadcasts last December with two games: Chiefs vs. Steelers and Ravens vs. Texans. Despite some early technical issues, Netflix delivered strong results and a smooth experience, especially compared to the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing stream the previous month. The NFL games averaged more than 24 million viewers in the U.S., down slightly from CBS’s Christmas Day broadcast in 2023, but still record-setting for a streaming platform. The Beyoncé halftime show during Ravens vs. Texans reached 27 million viewers, highlighting Netflix’s ability to elevate cultural moments.
Amazon will stream its Christmas Day game as part of its long-term Thursday Night Football deal, not as a separate rights acquisition. The game happens to fall on a Thursday, giving Prime Video the slot through existing terms. Still, the result is a full day of NFL action on streaming services, marking a milestone in the league’s distribution strategy.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said the company is not interested in full-season sports rights but is focused on high-impact, event-based programming. With more than 300 million global subscribers, including 81 million in the U.S., Netflix brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance. By tying games to marquee performers and exclusive production value, the streamer creates unique audience experiences that go beyond traditional broadcasts.
The NFL continues to show its willingness to experiment with distribution models. After pioneering network shifts with Fox in the 1990s and then partnering with Amazon in the early 2020s, the league’s collaboration with Netflix represents the next phase of its evolution. As streaming reshapes how audiences consume sports, the NFL is positioning itself to lead that transformation.
