Streaming giant Netflix is eyeing a swoop for Sunday NFL action following success on Christmas Day, with Fox and CBS’ deals with the league able to be cut short four years.
According to industry reports, Netflix wants to acquire a Sunday NFL package after successful Christmas Day live broadcasts featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.
The streaming giants carried the Chiefs’ visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers and followed up with the Ravens against the Houston Texans. As a result, 2024 became Netflix’s Most-Watched Christmas Day Ever in the U.S.
The Chiefs-Steelers drew 30.0M Global AMA, and the Ravens-Texans attracted 31.3M Global AMA, with viewership reaching 218 countries worldwide. Now, Netflix is looking to eat into NFL broadcasting, dominated by Fox and CBS, according to the company’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria.
Bajaria told Matt Belloni of Puck that Netflix is now interested in bidding on the NFL’s Sunday afternoon games. Fox picked up the NFC package from CBS in 1994, while CBS snagged the AFC package from NBC in 1998. Their current broadcasting deals aren’t up until 2033.
However, if they wish, the NFL can terminate the deals four years early, which could allow Netflix to make a play in 2029. Netflix’s outlining of its ambitions showcases the strength the streaming giants are gaining in live sports broadcasting. In recent years, Netflix has housed several high-interest sports events, most notably Mike Tyson’s professional return to boxing against YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul inside a packed-out AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Netflix also housed a Tennis Grand Slam event, pitting Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz against each other in a thrilling exhibition.
They are also now the official home of WWE Wrestling. They broadcasted the company’s Royal Rumble earlier this month, one of its most significant events of the year ahead of WrestleMania. Netflix is also expected to be at the table for negotiations on the UFC’s next U.S. media rights deal. That’s according to Endeavor and TKO Group president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro. “We see a long-term future with ESPN and the Walt Disney Company,” Shapiro said. “We’re not looking to leave, but it takes two, and we must ensure the deal is right.”
The UFC’s current broadcast deal with ESPN, which has housed the MMA promotion since 2019, is up for renewal at the end of 2025. ESPN’s parent company, Disney, has an exclusive negotiating window between January and April this year. “I think [Netflix will] be at the table on UFC,” Shapiro added to CNBC.
“They get the UFC. They’re fans of the UFC. They’ve been to the UFC. Their kids watch UFC, and they’re looking for those leagues, those brands, and power sports content factories that can go global. And UFC is very much a global brand.”
