Netflix recently found itself under intense scrutiny following the much-publicized boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, which unfolded on November 15, 2024. Despite the event attracting over 60 million viewers, it was marred by significant streaming issues, leaving many fans frustrated. Howard Stern, the infamous radio host, didn’t hold back on his Sirius XM show, warning Netflix of the consequences if similar problems occurred during NFL broadcasts set for Christmas Day. Stern bluntly stated, “If you f–k up people’s football, there is hell to pay. You gotta make sure it works.” He highlighted the stakes involved, with upcoming high-profile NFL matchups featuring playoff contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.<\/p>
The Tyson-Paul fight marked Netflix's foray as a live sports broadcaster, and one would think it would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, viewers reported widespread buffering, freezing, and crashes throughout the highly-anticipated boxing event. These technical glitches have raised serious alarms for Netflix as it prepares to air two marquee NFL games on December 25, which are expected to draw similarly large audiences. To put things bluntly, Netflix’s Christmas audience could either build its reputation or send it spiraling downwards.
With fans still seething over the streaming debacle, many are questioning whether Netflix can handle the intense traffic associated with live NFL games. Hockey and basketball fans have also voiced concerns as Netflix’s streaming capabilities come under the microscope. The streaming service's CTO, Elizabeth Stone, acknowledged the technical challenges post-fight, noting, "This unprecedented scale created many technical challenges, which the launch team tackled but not without flaws. We don’t want to dismiss the poor experience of some members, and know we have room for improvement." She emphasized their commitment to enhancing user experience to prevent similar disruption during future events.
Digging deep, issues stemming from the Tyson and Paul fight were aggravated by Netflix's ambitious attempt to be the home of prominent live sports events. The executive team seems to be hoping fans will give them the benefit of the doubt and keep their faith for the upcoming NFL games. The company paid about $75 million per game to secure exclusive rights to air the NFL's Christmas doubleheader, making it evident they are heavily invested and reliant on its success to avoid future criticism.
On social media and news platforms, pundits voiced their concerns, leading folks like Clay Travis to call it out as “a disaster” for Netflix if they couldn't rectify these issues. Many fans took to Twitter to express their worries about potential issues spoiling their holiday viewing experience, with Randy Baumann humorously tweeting, “If the Steelers-Chiefs Christmas Day game on #Netflix looks like this, there are going to be tables overturned with half-eaten Christmas hams all over western PA.”
Stern’s sentiments were echoed by Kevin Nash, the Hall of Fame wrestler, as he pointed out the dire need for Netflix to sort out the buffering issues before WWE programming makes its debut on the platform. WWE Raw is set to launch on Netflix on January 6, 2025, moving away from its long-standing home on linear television. Nash expressed hope but raised concerns about the streaming service’s reliability, stating, “The only upside to [the fight] on Netflix is they can hopefully get the buffering bugs out before WWE starts their programming.”
Despite the promise of improvement, wrestling fans are apprehensive about whether Netflix can deliver when they tune in for WWE events. Fans are hoping to avoid repeats of the subpar streaming experience during the Tyson-Paul showdown. Many netizens have already begun to express their apprehensions, and it's evident these issues will be closely watched as Netflix moves forward.
Meanwhile, Netflix's audience continues to grow curious about how the streaming giant will fare with its expanded offering of live programming. The company has made big splashes lately by announcing star-studded halftime performances and other high-profile content, making its future programming look attractive. Beyoncé is slated to perform at the halftime show of the NFL game featuring the Ravens and Texans on Christmas Day, adding more weight and anticipation to the viewing experience.
Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Netflix can bounce back from its recent tribulations or if it will be left grappling with the fallout from the boxing event as the NFL Christmas Day doubleheader looms ever closer. The hope is to see smooth streaming for both the hardcore football fans staying glued to their screens as well as those gearing up for WWE Raw’s debut on the platform.
For now, it’s time for Netflix to roll up its sleeves and prioritize perfecting its streaming technology before its next big test. Given the stakes, viewers will be tuning in not just for the game, but also to see if Netflix has managed to overcome the technical turmoil. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be pivotal for the platform as it strives to prove it can rise to the occasion and meet the expectations of both sports and entertainment fans alike.
