Netflix made a historic debut as an NFL broadcaster on December 25, delivering two football games streamed worldwide. The games were held at NRG Stadium in Houston and featured four of the AFC’s top five teams. Mariah Carey opened the event with a recorded performance, while Beyoncé electrified the halftime crowd with a 13-minute live show, including surprise collaborations with Shaboozey and Post Malone. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs secured the AFC’s top seed with a decisive 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a dominant 31-2 victory against the Houston Texans. These games marked the NFL’s first Christmas Wednesday matches since 2020. This event attracted global attention, with viewers from over 190 countries streaming the matches in five languages, showcasing Netflix’s innovative approach to live sports broadcasting.

The broadcast achieved impressive metrics, becoming the second-most popular live title on Netflix. Despite minor technical issues at the pregame show’s start, the event unfolded seamlessly. Analysts such as J.J. Watt and Nate Burleson, along with commentators Ian Eagle and Greg Olsen, provided insightful coverage. Netflix utilized the event to unveil exclusive content, including trailers for “Happy Gilmore 2” and other productions, highlighting the integration of entertainment and sports. This endeavor demonstrated the evolving symbiosis between live sports and digital platforms, leveraging advanced streaming technology to ensure accessibility. With this collaboration, the NFL and Netflix have underscored the potential for streaming services to redefine the consumption of major sports events globally, offering an unparalleled viewing experience while reaching unprecedented audiences.