Netflix is getting ready to stream two big NFL games this Christmas Day. The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET, and the Baltimore Ravens will face the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET.
These games are a big deal for Netflix as they try out more live events that could bring in millions of viewers. Last Christmas, nearly 29 million people watched NFL games on TV, including matchups like the Raiders vs. Chiefs and the Giants vs. Eagles. Those games were some of the most-watched shows of 2023.
“We’re excited to team up with Netflix to bring live games to fans everywhere,” said Hans Schroeder, an NFL executive. But the football isn’t the only reason to tune in!
Before the Ravens game, the group Pentatonix will sing the national anthem. At halftime, Beyoncé will perform songs from her new album Cowboy Carter live for the first time – and she’ll have some surprise guests with her.
Netflix Hopes for No Glitches This Time
Netflix streaming live sports hasn’t always gone smoothly. Just a few weeks ago, the platform had major problems during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. Fans complained about buffering and getting kicked out of the stream. At least 85,000 people had issues, and one man in Florida even sued Netflix over the “unwatchable” event.
Netflix says it learned from that experience. A spokesperson said they’ve fixed streaming and delivery problems to make sure the NFL games run without glitches.
Getting this right is important for Netflix because they already have deals to stream NFL games on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026. Starting in January, they’ll also stream WWE wrestling every week. Plus, Netflix just locked in rights to show the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
Netflix is jumping into live events to stay competitive. Even though they’re the biggest streaming service in the world, live shows could help keep subscribers happy and attract more viewers.
