The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but this time, he was disguised as Netflix. On Christmas Day, the streaming giant made its debut by airing its first live NFL game, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the anticipation was high, the broadcast didn't start off as smoothly as fans had hoped.
Right at the beginning, Netflix encountered some notable technical issues. Viewers were met with inaudible audio for the first twenty seconds of the broadcast, during which studio host Kay Adams introduced the game. Not the best way to kick off what was supposed to be a festive sports occasion!
To add to the frustration, when studio analyst Mina Kimes began discussing the Chiefs' struggles, she was abruptly interrupted by a commercial promoting the upcoming second season of the popular Netflix series, Squid Game. This left many fans at home feeling less than pleased. "Another day of a live stream not working! Maybe fix your s** before you go live for millions to watch, stick to movies and shows," slams one disgruntled viewer on X.
Others echoed similar sentiments, recalling previous streaming disasters. "Netflix sucks. Really. After Tyson they put out this garbage to ruin Christmas?" stated another frustrated fan. The reference was to the streaming issues witnessed during the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight, casting doubt on Netflix's ability to smoothly deliver live sports.
Yet, as the game progressed, it seemed Netflix managed to get its act together. Reports from the game indicated improvements, with numerous fans praising the production quality. "Like these HD/4K/whatever they are - cameras @netflix … Sweet picture," commented ESPN's Louis Riddick. Another fan added, "This is a solid production all around," highlighting the mixed reviews surrounding Netflix's foray. It wasn’t all bad news!
If you think NFL fans are tough, just wait for halftime! Beyoncé is set to perform during the Houston Texans-Baltimore Ravens game, also streamed by Netflix. Given the earlier mishaps, thoughts are racing as fans hope there won’t be any issues during her performance. It’s hard to underestimate the fervor of the BeyHive!
Despite the rocky start, the game still drew interest as fans were eager to see how the chiefs would fare against the Steelers. The game began with the Chiefs boasting a 14-1 record, arriving off of five consecutive victories, including their last game against the Texans, which ended 27-19. Patrick Mahomes led the way, showcasing his prowess as he ran and threw for touchdowns.
The Steelers, on the other hand, were reeling from back-to-back losses and desperately sought to rejuvenate themselves with star quarterback Russell Wilson bringing experience, having completed 15 touchdowns this season.
The first game day saw some logistical hurdles as Netflix prepared for this doubleheader event, catering to the demands of the NFL’s vast fanbase. Earlier this year, they struck up a major three-year deal aimed at streaming more NFL games and, though the excitement was palpable, pre-game jitters were also reflected by some concerned analysts and fans alike.
Pregame coverage kicked off hours before the game at 1 p.m. ET. Despite the shaky start with audio issues concerning Kay Adams's microphone and the unscheduled Squid Game* ad, things began to stabilize as viewers settled down to watch. The original score bug also presented some inaccuracies but was corrected quickly, and by halftime, the score showed the Chiefs with the lead, 13-7.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, had previously stated, "Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live - tapping massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more. There are no live annual events...that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited..."
All eyes will remain on Netflix as they march toward more live games over the holiday season as part of their lucrative deal with the NFL. They've paid around $150 million for these rights, illustrating their commitment to breaking even more ground within the competitive streaming market.
Fans will be monitoring upcoming game events closely, especially following initial turbulence. Will Netflix rise to the occasion when at bat once more? With such high stakes—especially with pop culture titan Beyoncé set to take center stage at halftime—they certainly don’t want to disappoint viewers again.
For Netflix, this endeavor of streaming NFL games marks both opportunity and challenge. Enthusiastic fans hope any initial technical hiccups will be ironed out before the next game adventure on their streaming platform. This Christmas may have started with some complaints, but with determination and optimism, fans are willing to give Netflix another chance to uphold the spirit of the season.
