Netflix is quickly becoming a platform for sports. It initially made its sports-loving subscribers jump for joy as the company began making various sports documentaries and closing deals with major players in professional sports.
Last year, Netflix started introducing live streaming into its platform, but its attempts to be a traditional broadcaster haven't gone as well as the company thought it would.
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Netflix first attempted to live stream the Love is Blind reunion for season four, but that broadcast was a complete disaster. It failed to begin on time and was delayed for over an hour, displaying an error message instead.
After its first attempt failed, Netflix took a short break and switched from livestreaming reality TV shows to sports.
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In January, Netflix announced a massive 10-year, $5 billion partnership with the WWE to air its flagship weekly program, Raw, in 2025. This partnership marked the company's first long-term deal to enter the live sports broadcasting world.
However, the company refused to let its first failed attempt give its live-streaming capabilities a bad name and decided to test them again before its WWE deal came to fruition. Once again, it encountered various glitches.
On Nov. 15, Netflix live-streamed the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, and the broadcast didn't go as smoothly as hoped. This was not just because the fight was an extremely overhyped, nearly five-hour event but also due to multiple screen freezes and technical difficulties throughout the entire show.
Netflix makes a major announcement for the upcoming NFL Christmas Day games
In May this year, Netflix (NFLX) announced it had signed a deal with the NFL to live stream its Christmas Day games for the next three years. It's set to live stream two NFL games on Christmas Day this year.
“There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.
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On Monday, Netflix announced that Beyoncé will perform during the halftime show for the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens match.
The game will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, the Texans' hometown, on Dec. 25 at 4:30 p.m. ET and livestreamed on Netflix as part of its Christmas Day two-game slate.
If that wasn't enough gameday action, Netflix will also livestream the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET beforehand, marking Netflix's first-ever NFL gameday livestream.
Beyoncé is set to perform songs from her latest country album, Cowboy Carter, which is a fitting choice as Houston is the singer's hometown, and country music has been a part of Texas culture for decades.
However, that's not all; the singer is rumored to be joined on stage by some of the artists featured on her country album.
Over the past five years, the NFL has paid Jay-Z, Beyoncé's husband, and his Roc Nation label imprint, a reported $25 million to book the Super Bowl halftime performance talent.
In October, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the partnership, calling it a "mutually positive relationship."
NFL and Beyoncé fans react to the Netflix announcement
Beyoncé took the news to social media by making a collaboration video post on Instagram with Netflix, the Houston Texans, and the Baltimore Ravens, and fans were quick to react to the news.
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Many Instagram users have made comments regarding Netflix's multiple failed streaming attempts.
One user commented, "Netflix just proved it can't handle a boxing match. They want to try this? I mean, I'm gonna watch, but fix your stuff first!"
Another user commented: "Yes, but Netflix, ya'll suck at live streaming. Don't be f* up Beyoncé's halftime."
A user commented: "Wait!! Yes. Praying Netflix has all kinks ironed out."
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However, many loyal Beyoncé fans were very enthusiastic about the halftime show, exposing Netflix to another audience that probably wouldn't watch the live game if not for the singer.
One fan commented: "I don't care for sports or who's going to get tackled down, but I WILL be watching this game!"
Another fan commented: "Guess who's watching football on Christmas. This girl!"
The NFL also commented on the collaboration post: "See you on Christmas Day!"
And the Houston Texans commented: "It's about to be a movie."
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