Netflix is likely to expand its NFL offerings in the coming years, possibly including a portion, if not all, of the league’s Sunday afternoon games. During Bela Bajaria’s recent appearance on The Town with Matthew Belloni, the Netflix chief content officer’s comments garnered attention but were not direct confirmations of any impending changes.
In a two-part episode on The Ringer/Puck podcast, Bajaria discussed various topics about the state of her company and the industry at large. A particular exchange caught the most attention within the sports world, with many interpreting it as a sign that Netflix intends to transform the NFL viewing experience. Headlines such as “Netflix threatens FOX and CBS as brave NFL broadcasting plan emerges,” from The Mirror US, and “Netflix Wants to Be The New Home of Sunday Afternoon NFL Games,” from Cord Cutters News, certainly suggest that.
However, based on these headlines, one might assume Bajaria made a definitive statement about Netflix claiming a substantial part of the NFL’s Sunday afternoon package, currently held by CBS and Fox. While the headlines are not inaccurate, they lack context, and do not fully capture the essence of Bajaria’s comments. She merely expressed a hypothetical interest in the NFL’s Sunday lineup after Belloni prompted her with leading questions. Bajaria wasn’t even aware that the NFL’s rights might be available after the 2029 season, a detail that Belloni pointed out regarding the opt-out clause in the league’s current deal.
During the conversation, Belloni asked, “In five years, will Netflix air a weekly NFL game? And because the answer is obviously yes, which NFL package will you steal from a rival?” to which Bajaria replied, “I say the answer is no, because the rights are already tied up.” Belloni countered, “No, there are opt-outs in less than five years.” Bajaria then stated, “If the answer is yes, then I definitely want the Sunday games,” to which Belloni clarified, “You mean the Sunday afternoon or the Sunday Night Football game?” Bajaria confirmed, “Afternoon.”
While Bajaria’s comments were informal, they leave ambiguity regarding whether she meant Netflix would air a single game weekly or take over the Sunday Ticket package from Google’s YouTube TV. It’s notable that her initial response was “no” until Belloni introduced the opt-out clause, demonstrating the effectiveness of his interviewing skills.
As for the potential of an NFL partnership, it wouldn’t be surprising if Netflix broadened its reach following the success of the Christmas Day doubleheader. Although Bajaria was coy about her employer’s interest in a weekly package, her quick response regarding the Sunday slate suggests some discussions have already occurred.
Nevertheless, this does not equate to Netflix actively planning to take over a portion of the NFL’s Sunday schedule, as some headlines suggest. The ultimate outcome of these discussions remains to be seen, but for now, it’s wise to temper expectations regarding Netflix becoming the NFL’s new home on Sunday afternoons, particularly since that wouldn’t even be feasible for at least another five years.
