Netflix and the NFL are embarking on the first season of a three-year deal in which games will be presented on Christmas Day exclusively on the streaming platform. The doubleheader, which features the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. EST followed by the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. EST, will be accessible to more than 200 countries and its 282 million global subscribers. As the NFL continues to broaden its reach, it will venture on this foray with a familiar group of 22 broadcasters from six networks situated across the country.
Kay Adams, the host of Up & Adams on FanDuel TV, will be performing the role on the studio show, where she will be joined by a cadre of analysts including Mina Kimes, Robert Griffin III, Drew Brees and Manti Te’o. The group will be broadcasting from Los Angeles, Calif. throughout the day, providing insights, analysis and expertise surrounding the games. Kimes and Griffin III were guests on Adams’ weekday program Monday morning where the group discussed the upcoming project.
“Who isn’t working Netflix Christmas?,” Adams said. “So excited to have this big, big family. So I thought we could take a look at the 22 people – it’s a 22-person roster – we’re going to have a snowball fight speed draft. You guys are the team captains. Who would you want on your team for a Christmas Day snowball fight?”
The impromptu draft took place during the show’s commercial break, which viewers can see live on YouTube, and featured several former players being selected. Once the show rejoined its linear program feed in progress, which includes the FanDuel Sports Network-branded group of RSNs owned by Diamond Sports Group and other entities, Kimes conveyed her excitement about the Christmas Day team on Netflix.
“I felt like when the lineup or whatever, that Coachella-style list of talent came out, people were not clear on like, ‘Who’s doing what?,’” Kimes said. “I mean, no one’s clear really, but you and I are actually, to clarify here, spending Christmas together because everyone else is spreading all over the country. Our studio show is in LA, and it is you, me, and then Robert, Manti and Drew.”
“Yes – Robert, Manti and Drew,” Adams replied, “and we’re going to have so, so much fun all day long in LA.”
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