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NETFLIX will show the two NFL games on Christmas Day this year in another major broadcasting breakthrough for the sport.
The video streaming service announced the news on Wednesday, just hours before the NFL was due to release its full 2024 schedule.
"You can’t spell Netflix without 'NFL,'" the company posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
"Netflix will be the home to watch the NFL’s 2024 Christmas Day games LIVE!"
The new deal also ensures Netflix will show at least one Christmas Day game in 2025 and 2026.
"Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live - tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said.
"There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts.
"We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.”
The news had been widely tipped by several pundits and media insiders over recent days.
Boomer Esiason said last week that a deal could well be on the cards.
"Netflix has around 200 million subscribers worldwide," Esiason said.
"If you wanna take it with a grain of salt you can take it with a grain of salt.
"Do not be surprised if the NFL and Netflix get in bed for a nice little Christmas Day football game.
"I would not be surprised."
The NFL has been keen to boost streaming content of the sport in recent times, not least because evidence shows it helps to build younger audiences.
Amazon Prime broadcasts Thursday games during the regular season.
With this season's schedule about to be released, eager NFL fans are looking to secure tickets to their favorite games.
You can start buying tickets for some games on several sites now:
Before purchasing tickets on resale websites check pricing as they are third-party sellers and, importantly, the cost can vary depending on demand. You may pay more than an official ticket, though you can also get good last-minute deals too.
But if you can't be there in person, don't worry, there's still time to set up your stream before the season starts.
You can also keep up to date with the latest NFL coverage right here at The U.S. Sun.
Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday this year, somewhat awkwardly for the NFL.
That hasn't been enough however to prevent the NFL again wanting to take a space that has traditionally belonged to the NBA.
There have only been two other regular-season Wednesday games in the Super Bowl era.
The most recent was in 2020 when the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers scheduled Thanksgiving Day game got postponed three times due to positive Covid-19 tests.
Before that, the 2012 season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants was moved to a Wednesday so it wouldn't conflict with Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention.
The 2012 Wednesday game was the first since 1948, well before the Super Bowl era.
That game, between the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions, is most notable for being the first time a team played with logos on their helmets after Rams halfback Fred Gehrke spent the summer painting his teammates' headgear blue with yellow horns.
Fans will have to wait until Wednesday night for confirmation of the games that Netflix will be showing on December 25th.
