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Netflix Says a Big NFL Package Doesn’t Fit Its Strategy

The company emphasizes one-off events, citing uncertainty over turning weekly rights into profit.

Overview

  • Co-CEO Greg Peters said at Bloomberg Screentime that acquiring a significant slate of NFL games “doesn’t really fit” Netflix’s current plan and that the company cannot yet “figure out the math” for large, weekly rights.
  • The NFL’s deals run through 2033 with an opt-out after 2029, and Roger Goodell has indicated talks could begin as early as 2026, with the league evaluating new inventory such as a dedicated international slate.
  • Netflix is in year two of a three-year agreement for exclusive Christmas Day games, which drew more than 24 million viewers each last year, reinforcing its event-focused approach.
  • The streamer’s sports portfolio remains selective, with rights to WWE Raw and future FIFA Women’s World Cups, and reported pursuits centered on marquee, standalone events rather than a weekly drumbeat.
  • Analysts note Netflix has reversed course before and suggest the public stance could be tactical, with some expecting any future pursuits to target special dates or playoff games rather than a Sunday-afternoon package.