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Tag: Netflix

Netflix will bid for NFL Sunday games on platform

Netflix wants to have NFL games back on its streaming platform, and we’re not just talking about Christmas Day.

In an interview with Puck News, Bela Bejaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said the streaming platform will bid for Sunday afternoon games.

One of the main reasons Netflix may want to bid for NFL games revolves around the league’s desire to continue growing international markets. Of course, having a global streamer to do so would make sense for the NFL — if that is the plan.

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Netflix Christmas GameDay cake seen after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Netflix held two Christmas Day games — Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — and they were both the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history.

Both games averaged around 24 million viewers, according to Nielsen. With over 218 countries having the ability to watch the games, more than 65 million viewers were seen on the platform.

NETFLIX’S NFL CHRISTMAS DAY COVERAGE EXPERIENCES MISCUES

Currently, the NFL’s Sunday afternoon games belong to Fox and CBS, with Fox owning the NFC package since 1994, and CBS getting the AFC package from NBC in 1998.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (middle) and tight end Travis Kelce (right) open their Netflix Christmas GameDay cake after the Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Their deals run through 2033, per ProFootballTalk. However, the NFL does own the right to pull out of the deal four years early, and there’s been indication of that being the plan.

So, while it appears unlikely to happen for the 2025 season, a streaming platform like Netflix could be jumping into the fold to get more NFL exposure on its platform.

As a result, one of the major broadcast partners for the NFL will likely be out, which will be interesting to see, to say the least.

General view of a Netflix microphone held by sideline reporter Steve Wyche before the game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

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The NFL has been broadcast on various channels and streamers in recent seasons, with Prime Video owning the rights to “Thursday Night Football,” ABC/ESPN programming “Monday Night Football,” and Peacock being an exclusive home for playoff games as well.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Netflix raises U.S. subscriber prices, attributes success to ‘Squid Game,’ NFL games, Paul-Tyson fight

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Netflix subscribers will see a noticeable jump in their monthly subscription fees, as the streaming company revels in new viewership.

In a letter to shareholders on Tuesday, the company announced it had increased prices across most plans in the U.S., Canada, Portugal and Argentina.

Standard monthly memberships jumped a dollar, up to $7.99 a month, according to Gregory K. Peters, Netflix co-CEO, president and director.

Lucas Bahdi and Armando Casamonica fight during Netflix: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix / Getty Images)

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Memberships without ads will increase more than two dollars, up to $17.99 per month, Peters said. Premium subscribers will have to shell out an extra two dollars a month, bringing the monthly fee to $24.99.

Peters described the company’s new pricing as “highly accessible.”

“You’ve seen us take up price across a number of markets in EMEA and APAC and LatAm over the last couple of quarters across most plans and including ads, too. And those changes have gone smoothly,” Peters said. “We certainly expect the same for these latest changes.

“I think it’s worth noting and reiterating that we believe that our starting price — it’s $7.99 in the U.S., $17.99 in Canada for standard with ads — is an incredible entertainment value and it’s a highly accessible entry point.”

The new prices are already reflected on the streaming service’s website.

The Netflix logo is seen on a TV remote controller in this illustration taken Jan. 20, 2022. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic / Reuters)

Netflix saw a whopping 19 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter, contributing to its total 302 million subscribers globally.

Live events, including the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight and two NFL games, contributed to the company’s recent success, according to leadership.

The fight was the most-streamed sporting event of all time, and on Christmas Day, the platform delivered the two most-streamed NFL games in history.

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NFLX NETFLIX INC. 953.99 +84.31 +9.69%

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Ted Sarandos, co-CEO, president and director, noted the underlying economics of full-season big league sports is challenging, but if there was a way to make it work, Netflix would explore it.

In addition, the company saw success with the second season of its original series, “Squid Game,” which garnered nearly 166 million views.

Other top performing shows included: “The Diplomat” season 2 with 21.4 million views, “Senna” with 16.2 million views, “The Empress” season 2 with 21 million views, “Outer Banks” season 4 with 36.8 million views, “The Lincoln Lawyer” season 3 with 33.9 million views, and “Virgin River” season 6 with 27.5 million views.

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, left, and actor Lee Jung-jae attend Netflix’s FYSEE event for “Squid Game” at Raleigh Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles on June 12, 2022. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix / Getty Images)

Leadership noted the company only earns 6 percent of the revenue opportunity in the countries and segments it currently serves.

By improving and expanding its offerings, the company hopes to increase the share every year.

“As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix,” investors were told in the letter.

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Revenue in the fourth quarter jumped 16% year-over-year, reaching $10.25 billion, according to company data. A $15 billion stock buyback pushed shares up 13% on Tuesday afternoon.

January 23, 2025
‘Ms. Rachel’ strikes deal with Netflix following conservative parents’ boycott

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Parents looking for “Hop Little Bunnies” and other nursery rhymes by singer and songwriter Ms. Rachel to entertain their children will soon have another place to go besides YouTube.

Rachel Accurso has struck a deal with Netflix, and four episodes that “will include interactive lessons that teach letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and more” will be available for streaming on the platform starting on Monday, Jan. 27.

The episodes will be in English with subtitles available in 33 languages, Netflix says.

“With more than a billion views, Accurso has been described by some parents as their children’s Mister Rogers,” a press release states.

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“Ms. Rachel” is bringing her programming to Netflix on Jan. 27, 2025. (Netflix / Fox News)

Moms of toddlers are rejoicing on social media after the announcement was made.

“Thank God lol I’m so tired of my YouTube being filled with her,” one mom wrote in a Facebook group. “Now I can just go on Netflix.”

“Finally getting away from YouTube ads!” another chimed in.

“Omg I can cancel YouTube premium now,” a toddler mom wrote.

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Aron Accurso and Rachel Griffin-Accurso, also known as Ms. Rachel, at Room To Grow’s 25th Anniversary Gala held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Oct. 25, 2023, in New York City. (John Nacion/Variety / Getty Images)

Accurso is a 42-year-old Maine native, according to Bangor Daily News. She has more than 13 million subscribers on YouTube, and millions follow her on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, as well.

Last summer, the popular children’s YouTube creator sparked backlash on social media after she posted a video celebrating Pride Month – and issued a pointed message to parents who took issue with her remarks.

Ms. Rachel on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC / Getty Images)

The educational content creator, who is a viral sensation among babies and toddlers, seemingly anticipated fallout with some of her audience, then added, “To those who are going to comment, they can’t watch this show anymore because of this support, no worries and much love your way,” she said.

In 2023, Accurso said she was forced to take a “mental health break” after parents expressed outrage over her co-star Jules Hoffman asking to be referred to with the pronouns “they” and “them” on the show. Hoffman is transgender and non-binary.

Ms. Rachel attends the Sesame Workshop 2024 Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 29, 2024 in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)

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Accurso also came under scrutiny when she announced she was creating a fundraiser to benefit children in conflict areas, including Gaza. Jewish mothers called out the YouTube sensation for failing to address the murdered Jewish children or those taken hostage on October 7. Many others questioned why Accurso wasn’t raising money for Israeli children affected by the war. Accurso later disabled comments on the fundraiser post and put out a statement on Instagram.

Her Instagram bio currently links to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

FOX News’ Yael Halon contributed to this report.

January 23, 2025