NFL’s Massive Thanksgiving Ratings Spark New Streaming Deal Talks

The National Football League shattered viewership records over the Thanksgiving holiday. Three separate games each set new audience highs for their time slots. According to CNBC, Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the league can renegotiate its massive media rights deals soon. The unprecedented ratings surge has analysts predicting a major shift toward streaming services for future Thanksgiving broadcasts.This record-setting performance gives the NFL incredible leverage. The league’s current deals with networks like Fox, CBS, and NBC run through 2033. However, a clause allows for negotiations to reopen as early as next year. With streaming giants like Netflix actively seeking major “big event” sports rights, a bidding war seems inevitable.

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The numbers are staggering. The early game between Green Bay and Detroit drew 47.7 million viewers on Fox. The Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs matchup pulled in 57.2 million on CBS. The night game on NBC featuring Baltimore and Cincinnati attracted 28.4 million. Each figure represents an all-time high for those holiday windows.Netflix has already entered the NFL market with Christmas Day games. It also recently acquired rights to MLB’s Opening Day and Home Run Derby. With essentially unlimited financial resources, a bid for the prestigious Thanksgiving slate is a logical next step. The league has shown no loyalty to traditional broadcasters, moving playoff games and key late-season matchups to streaming platforms already.

Broadcast Networks Face Uncertain Future in NFL Landscape

The potential move of Thanksgiving games would be a significant blow to legacy networks. CBS, Fox, and NBC have built holiday traditions around their NFL coverage. The league’s strategy, however, is unequivocally driven by revenue. If a streaming service offers more money, the NFL will take it. This has already diluted the traditional Sunday afternoon broadcast slates.For fans, the shift means more fragmentation. Accessing games may require multiple subscriptions. The NFL’s pursuit of maximum profit continues to reshape how America watches football. The upcoming media rights negotiations will likely accelerate this trend, with streaming platforms poised to claim the league’s most valuable traditional properties.

Donald Trump’s push to rally his allies comes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.(REUTERS)

The NFL’s record-breaking Thanksgiving has set the stage for a media rights revolution. The league’s next move could permanently alter the holiday viewing landscape. The battle for football’s crown jewels is just beginning.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Q1: How many people watched the NFL on Thanksgiving?

The three games set records. The Packers-Lions game had 47.7 million viewers. Chiefs-Cowboys drew 57.2 million. The Ravens-Bengals nightcap attracted 28.4 million viewers. Total viewership across the day was immense.

Q2: Is Netflix getting NFL games?

Netflix already has rights to two NFL Christmas Day games this season. The company has stated it wants major sports “events.” Its deep pockets make it a serious contender for more premium NFL inventory, like Thanksgiving.

Q3: Why would the NFL move games to streaming?

The decision is fundamentally financial. Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+ can offer huge sums of money. The NFL has a history of prioritizing new revenue streams over traditional broadcast partnerships.

Q4: What does this mean for regular TV viewers?

It likely means needing more subscriptions to watch all games. While broadcast TV will still have many games, the best matchups are increasingly moving behind digital paywalls. This fragments the viewing experience.

Q5: When do the current NFL TV deals expire?

The league’s existing media rights contracts are scheduled to run through the 2033 season. However, a clause allows the NFL to opt out and begin renegotiating as soon as next year, which it is now expected to do.

Q6: Did other sports news happen this week?

Yes. Amazon Prime Video announced a 10-part Buccaneers docuseries for December. Netflix also set a date for a John Elway documentary. These releases highlight the growing intersection of sports and streaming content.