Netflix is making waves in 2024 by expanding its live sports coverage, notably by broadcasting two highly anticipated National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day. The streaming giant has previously hosted an eclectic mix of live events, including dating show reunions and celebrity boxing matches like the notorious Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Adding NFL matchups to its lineup promises to attract a vast audience, raising expectations for a smooth viewing experience, especially after the streaming glitches during the recent season 4 reunion of Netflix’s Love Is Blind.
In 2023, Christmas Day featured an exciting trio of NFL matchups: the Las Vegas Raiders faced the Kansas City Chiefs (Raiders won 20–14), the New York Giants took on the Philadelphia Eagles (Eagles won 33–25), and the Baltimore Ravens clashed with the San Francisco 49ers (Ravens won 33–19). This annual tradition of NFL games on Christmas is expected to take a twist this year, as fans will need to tune in via Netflix, which could limit access for some viewers. Nevertheless, millions are likely to log onto the platform to catch the live action. The concern over Netflix’s previous technical issues remains, but it will be interesting to see if they’ve effectively mitigated these challenges as they prepare for this year’s matchups.
Chiefs vs. Steelers on December 25, 2024, at 1 PM ET
Key Players: Chiefs’ Mahomes & Kelce vs. Steelers’ Wilson & Watt
The first matchup scheduled for Christmas Day will feature the Kansas City Chiefs squaring off against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This exciting game kicks off at 1 PM ET, with pregame festivities commencing at 11 AM ET. Fans can expect analyses from a cadre of experts and former athletes, including Kay Adams, Drew Brees, and Mina Kimes, alongside comedic appearances by Bert Kreischer and Nate Bargatze. Additionally, a special pre-recorded performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You”by Mariah Carey will add to the festive atmosphere.
NFL Team | Record | Playoff Status | Starting Quarterback | Matchup Predictor (per ESPN) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City Chiefs | 14-1 | Clinched Division | Patrick Mahomes | 55.6% |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-5 | Clinched Playoff Berth | Russell Wilson | 44.1% |
Prior to kickoff, the National Anthem will be performed by Voices of Service, a talented quartet composed of retired military veterans. Drawing attention during the game, commentators Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson, and JJ Watt will provide play-by-play coverage and analysis, with halftime returning to the pregame hosts.
Ravens vs. Texans on December 25, 2024, at 4:30 PM ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
The second game of the day will see the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. This exciting encounter is set to begin at 4:30 PM ET, with the pregame show starting at 4 PM ET. The broadcast will feature Noah Eagle and Greg Olsen as the on-air commentators, while Jamie Erdahl and Steve Wyche will cover the sidelines.
NFL Team | Record | Playoff Status | Starting Quarterback | Matchup Predictor (per ESPN) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Baltimore Ravens | 10-5 | Clinched Playoff Berth | Lamar Jackson | 63.7% |
Houston Texans | 9-6 | Clinched Division | C.J. Stroud | 36.1% |
Pentatonix’s performance of the National Anthem will precede this thrilling contest. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating halftime show featuring Beyoncé, who is expected to perform tracks from her latest album, Cowboy Carter, along with surprise guests.
Accessing the NFL Christmas Games on Netflix
Broadcasting Options for Christmas Day Games
While Netflix will be the main platform for streaming the Christmas Day games, they will not be exclusive to the service. Viewers can also catch the games on local television stations in their respective regions, including Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Houston. Additionally, NFL+ subscribers can stream the games on the app.
City | Time Zone | Local Time for Chiefs vs. Steelers | Local Time for Ravens vs. Texans |
---|---|---|---|
New York, USA | Eastern Standard Time | Wednesday, December 25, 1 PM | Wednesday, December 25, 4:30 PM |
Chicago, USA | Central Standard Time (CST) | Wednesday, December 25, 12 PM | Wednesday, December 25, 3:30 PM |
Denver, USA | Mountain Standard Time (MST) | Wednesday, December 25, 11 AM | Wednesday, December 25, 2:30 PM |
Los Angeles, USA | Pacific Standard Time (PST) | Wednesday, December 25, 10 AM | Wednesday, December 25, 1:30 PM |
London, UK | Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Wednesday, December 25, 6 PM | Wednesday, December 25, 9:30 PM |
Berlin, Germany | Central European Time (CET) | Wednesday, December 25, 7 PM | Wednesday, December 25, 10:30 PM |
Cape Town, S. Africa | South Africa Standard Time (SAST) | Wednesday, December 25, 8 PM | Wednesday, December 25, 11:30 PM |
Moscow, Russia | Moscow Standard Time (MSK) | Wednesday, December 25, 9 PM | Thursday, December 26, 12:30 AM |
Dubai, UAE | Gulf Standard Time (GST) | Wednesday, December 25, 10 PM | Thursday, December 26, 1:30 AM |
Bangkok, Thailand | Indochina Time (ICT) | Thursday, December 26, 1 AM | Thursday, December 26, 4:30 AM |
Beijing, China | China Standard Time (CST) | Thursday, December 26, 2 AM | Thursday, December 26, 5:30 AM |
Tokyo, Japan | Japan Standard Time (JST) | Thursday, December 26, 3 AM | Thursday, December 26, 6:30 AM |
Sydney, Australia | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) | Thursday, December 26, 5 AM | Thursday, December 26, 8:30 AM |
For the majority, streaming on Netflix will likely be the simplest way to watch these highly anticipated games, particularly for audiences outside the United States. Those unable to watch the live broadcasts can take comfort in knowing that the games will remain available for up to three hours post-broadcast for U.S. subscribers (as noted by Netflix’s Tudum). International subscribers will have access to the matchups for 24 hours following the final whistle.
Sources: ESPN, Tudum by Netflix
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