Will Netflix’s Streaming Struggles Derail the NFL’s Christmas Day Debut
As NFL owner Jerry Jones stood before a microphone at a recent event, touting the future of Netflix and the NFL, his words were drowned out by a mic failure. In some ways, this mishap mirrored Netflix’s own stumbling debut into live sports streaming—a venture that, in theory, could reshape how we experience the game. But after Netflix’s shaky performance with its recent boxing event, questions loom about its ability to handle the NFL’s highly anticipated Christmas Day doubleheader in 2024.
Netflix’s move into live sports is a big deal, not just for the platform, but for the future of streaming in general. If it works, Netflix could set the stage for a new era where major live events—like NFL games—are seamlessly delivered to homes via the same service that brought us Stranger Things and The Crown. However, Netflix’s first big test of live-event streaming in November was far from smooth. Buffering issues, grainy visuals, and black screens plagued the experience, evoking memories of early ’90s video gaming—definitely not what you want when you’re trying to impress sports fans.
For those who tuned in to Amazon’s Thursday Night Football, there’s no comparison. Amazon Prime has long since perfected its streaming experience—crisp visuals, no buffering, and reliability that makes it a non-issue. In other words, Amazon Prime’s presence has become so seamless that we don’t even think twice about it. But for Netflix, that’s not the case yet. And if it doesn’t get it right by Christmas Day, Netflix’s deal with the NFL could be in jeopardy.
Netflix is already contracted to stream the NFL’s Christmas Day games for 2025 and 2026, but a disastrous experience on December 25, 2024, could be a deal-breaker. The NFL, known for its business acumen, likely has clauses in place to bail on Netflix if the stream fails to live up to expectations. In that scenario, the league could look to take its precious live content elsewhere—perhaps back to Amazon or another platform that’s already proven it can deliver.
While Netflix has deep pockets, and money can fix a lot of problems—especially tech problems—there’s no guarantee that this debut will go smoothly. Sure, they could pour more funds into the technology to resolve the issues, but there’s more at stake here than just getting the stream to work. The NFL is a juggernaut, and the way Netflix treats its first big live-sports event will set the tone for any future collaboration. If Netflix doesn’t nail it, the NFL will have no qualms about seeking greener pastures.
In some ways, the NFL might even be hoping for a bit of a mishap on Christmas. Once the initial backlash fades, they could play hardball with Netflix, demanding that they “pay to play” with a more reliable, high-quality experience for future games. But no matter what happens, the NFL knows one thing for sure: there’s always another game, another opportunity, and another platform waiting in the wings.
As Christmas Day draws closer, all eyes will be on Netflix. Can they deliver? Or will they become another cautionary tale in the volatile world of sports streaming? Only time will tell, but the clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
