The NFL's third Black Friday game on Prime Video is bringing a new wrinkle to the table.
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For the first time, the matchup will stream globally without requiring an Amazon Prime subscription, opening the door for anyone, anywhere, to tune in.
And the league picked a good one. The 8-3 Bears visiting the 8-3 Eagles is already compelling on its own, with major stakes tied to the NFC playoff picture.
As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes, the question now is whether a free worldwide stream of a meaningful game can push viewership into record territory.
The number to beat is 24.3 million, set last Christmas when Ravens-Texans aired on Netflix. Chiefs-Steelers earlier that same day drew 24.1 million.
Those games required a Netflix subscription. This one does not, and free absolutely matters.
Then again, Florio points out that being free didn't exactly launch Chiefs-Chargers in Week 1 to new heights. That Friday night opener from Brazil checked in at 17.3 million before later adjustments bumped it to 19.7 million.
Even with Patrick Mahomes and an international showcase, the total fell short of the streaming blockbusters.
So what happens this weekend? Can Prime's Black Friday broadcast crack 20 million? Can it eclipse 24.3 million?
We'll find out early next week when the final numbers come in.
The NFL keeps pushing into new territory, and now it gets to see whether a global, no-paywall event can reset the streaming record book.
