Netflix announces Christmas Day broadcasting lineup amid ESPN and FOX constraints

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The NFL has fully embraced taking over Christmas Day, sorry to Adam Silver and the NBA.Last year, Netflix’s two games on Christmas Day were a smashing success, and they’re looking to repeat that this year, albeit with a broadcast group that will look much different.Netflix is back with a bang for Christmas Day after last year’s successGettyThis year’s Christmas Day slate includes three games, with the first two streamed on Netflix and the evening game on Amazon Prime.The Dallas Cowboys will travel to face the Washington Commanders, then the Detroit Lions will be in Minnesota to face the Vikings, before the Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead.Over the summer, Front Office Sports reported that both ESPN and Fox would be “reluctant” to let their NFL personalities take part in Netflix’s Christmas Day coverage as they did last year. Now it’s official.The report was accurate, with Netflix revealing its lineup without any ESPN or Fox talent, except for one lone exception.Last year, ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Laura Rutledge were part of Netflix’s coverage, along with Fox’s Greg Olsen. This year, none of them will return, and the broadcast teams have undergone major changes.Ian Eagle, Matt Ryan, and Nate Burleson will handle the 1 p.m. ET matchup between the Cowboys and Commanders, while Noah Eagle and Drew Brees will call the 4:30 p.m. ET game between the Lions and Vikings.This marks a change from last year, with Ryan taking over for J.J. Watt, now CBS’s No. 2 analyst, and Brees stepping into the role Fox’s Olsen held alongside Noah Eagle.Brees has, of course, since been hired full-time by Fox, but they are allowing him to fulfill his Netflix commitments, as this was agreed upon before he joined Fox.Not only will the broadcast teams look different, but the studio show will be taking a much different approach as well.Last year, Netflix’s studio show was hosted by Kay Adams, alongside Brees, Robert Griffin III, Manti Te’o and Kimes. They held it down for both games.The NFL has fully embraced playing on Christmas DayGettyThis will be Netflix’s second year streaming NFL games on ChristmasGettyUnlike this year, there will be two separate studio shows for each game.Adams will reprise her hosting duties for the Cowboys-Commanders game, with analysts Austin Ekeler, Devin McCourty, and Michael Irvin joining her.Following them will be NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl hosting the studio show for the Lions-Vikings game, alongside Brandon Marshall and Te’o.Melanie Collins from CBS and Sara Walsh from NFL Network will cover the Cowboys-Commanders game as sideline reporters, while AJ Ross of CBS and Dianna Russini from The Athletic will handle the Lions-Vikings sideline.Netflix also plans to feature special guests Bert Kreischer, Tom Segura, and Seth Rollins throughout its broadcast. CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore will also be on hand, with remote coverage provided by Scott Hanson and Kyle Long.The streaming giant appears to be covering all its bases this year, this time without help from ESPN and Fox, while CBS and NFL Network are still on board, providing their talent to help out.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more