The National Football League’s aggressive push into streaming is set for another major leap, with Netflix and YouTube reportedly nearing a first-of-its-kind agreement. The deal will share broadcasting rights for select NFL games beginning in the 2026 season.
The deal, first reported by multiple US media outlets, would hand both platforms exclusive rights to a package of ‘Monday Night Football’ doubleheader games previously tied to ESPN.
The proposed partnership demonstrates the NFL’s growing confidence in broadcasting on digital platforms, as fans increasingly shift to streaming services rather than cable television. As per the proposed deal, Netflix and YouTube may broadcast exclusive matches four to five times each in the coming season.
This partnership between Netflix and YouTube arises as streaming firms compete aggressively to secure premium live sports programming, which remains among the handful of genres that consistently attract significant live audiences.
Netflix has already made itself known in the NFL through its exclusive deal for NFL Christmas Day games, which it entered into last year. The firm reportedly shelled out an estimated $75 million per game and received excellent viewership ratings during the 2025 Christmas games.
YouTube, meanwhile, has been part of the NFL universe after obtaining exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket in 2023.
Industry reports suggest that the latest negotiations gained momentum after ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network reshaped the league’s media landscape. The NFL subsequently regained control over a set of doubleheader games, creating fresh opportunities for new streaming partnerships.
The organization is also said to be looking into adding more virtual-only events, such as international match-ups and holiday games exclusively.
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This deal highlights the fast-moving nature of sports broadcasting today, as technology firms compete against television networks.
Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and Apple have reportedly spent billions of dollars in recent years on live sports in hopes of gaining subscribers through their exclusive offerings.
It would seem obvious that the NFL’s next move should be to take its games to the places where fans are watching them.