Full Breakdown
NFL's Christmas Day Strategy: Aiming to Rival Thanksgiving
11/27/2025, 1:41:43 AM
NFL's Holiday Game Lineup
The National Football League (NFL) is expanding its holiday programming, with a focus on Christmas Day. In 2024, the league will present a triple-header featuring the Dallas Cowboys against the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions facing the Minnesota Vikings, both streamed on Netflix at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. respectively, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Denver Broncos in prime time at 8:15 p.m. This follows a successful Thanksgiving Day lineup that includes three games: the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers, the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Dallas Cowboys, and the Cincinnati Bengals facing the Baltimore Ravens.
Historical Viewership Trends
Historically, holidays have proven to be significant for NFL viewership. For instance, the Cowboys-Giants game on Thanksgiving in 2021 attracted an average of 42.1 million viewers, marking it as the most-watched regular-season game in the league's history. In contrast, the Christmas Day games in 2024 averaged 26.5 million viewers, setting records for streaming NFL games in the U.S. Hans Schroeder, the NFL's executive vice president of media distribution, emphasizes the growing audience for football during these holidays.
Insights from NFL Executives
In an interview, Hans Schroeder expressed optimism about Christmas Day potentially rivaling Thanksgiving in terms of viewership. He noted that the NFL has seen consistent growth in Thanksgiving audiences, driven by the combination of food, family, and football traditions. He stated, “We’re excited to see what the biggest matchups of the year and the league can do in that window on Thanksgiving afternoon.” This sentiment reflects the NFL's strategy to enhance its holiday presence and capitalize on the festive spirit.
Christmas as an NFL Holiday
Schroeder acknowledged the historical dominance of the NBA on Christmas but asserted that the NFL is carving out its own niche. He remarked, “Christmas has absolutely become a holiday for the NFL,” highlighting the league's efforts to engage fans through strategic game scheduling. The NFL's Christmas Day games are designed to attract viewers who have expressed a desire for football during the holiday season.
Expanding the NFL's Reach
The NFL is also leveraging platforms like Amazon and Netflix to broaden its audience. The Black Friday game, which features the Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles, has seen significant growth since its inception. Schroeder noted that these platforms allow the NFL to reach international audiences, stating, “At 3 p.m. here, you’re reaching Europe in prime time.” This strategy aims to enhance the NFL's global footprint while catering to domestic fans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re really excited to see what the biggest matchups of the year and the league can do in that window on Thanksgiving afternoon.” — Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution
- “Amazon obviously has a global platform that rivals other large video platforms.” — Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution
Conclusion
The NFL's strategic expansion into Christmas Day programming reflects its ambition to rival Thanksgiving as a premier holiday for football viewership. With a focus on engaging fans through high-profile matchups and leveraging streaming platforms, the league aims to solidify its presence in the holiday sports landscape.
