Netflix and the NFL have had a relationship for a couple years, starting in 2023 with the docuseries “Quarterback,” which followed Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota during the 2022-23 NFL season. In July, Netflix released “Receiver,” which follows five of the NFL’s best pass catchers through the 2023 season.

With its $150 million purchase of the rights to broadcast two Christmas Day NFL games, Netflix marks its major foray into the realm of live sports. Although the early technological problems drew criticism, the effective presentation of the games itself points to Netflix's understanding and adaptation to the difficulties of live sports broadcasting.

It has finally happened: Netflix now has live football. Announced earlier this year, Christmas Day marks the beginning of the NFL's expansion onto the popular streaming service, with two games on tap for this year: the Chiefs and Steelers in the opener at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Ravens and Texans in the day's second game at 4:30 p.m. ET.