Title: Netflix and the NFL Team Up for Christmas Games
The NFL has partnered with Netflix to exclusively stream two games on Christmas Day, featuring two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes among others. According to Brian Rolapp, the league’s chief media and business officer, this marks the NFL’s first foray into globally distributed game packages, with 283 million Netflix subscribers in more than 190 countries.
This opportunity arose because of Netflix’s evolving business and willingness to explore unique events that meet its criteria, such as “big audience” and “big conversation”. As Riegg, a Netflix executive, pointed out, this is different from carrying an entire season’s package, like they did with Quarterback and Receiver, Netflix docuseries.
The Netflix partnership is an opportunity for the league to gain traction globally. According to Rolapp, growing the sport internationally means bringing top-tier content to international territories, aligning with their plans to increase international games from five to eight next season. There are also speculations about Netflix possibly carrying some international games, though no official plans have been made public.
Riegg reiterated Netflix’s strategy is to only host one-off spectacles rather than a long-term commitment. As the first foray into a global distribution, this agreement showcases the evolving digital landscape in sports, particularly in the face of the increasing trend of exclusive sports content online.
The holiday package will surely provide a chance to “spotlight and ‘eventize'” these games for its members and viewers worldwide, while also drawing massive attention due to the A-list performers set to appear at halftime and throughout the coverage.
Overall, the collaboration between the NFL and Netflix may be just the beginning, considering the latter’s global reach and the NFL’s desire to increase its presence on digital platforms.
