Netflix will broadcast two NFL games and a special performance by Beyoncé on Christmas Day, following last year’s controversy with the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight. The streaming service has partnered with the NFL for the event, which includes a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans.
The games will be available globally in five languages and will start with a pregame show at 11 am EST on Christmas Day, before Beyoncé takes the stage during halftime of the second game. The streaming service has stated that it has made changes to its “content delivery, encoding, and streaming protocols” following last year’s issues.
However, not everyone is excited about the event. Some NFL players and commentators have criticized the unusual schedule, with Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes saying that playing three games in 11 days is “not great for your body.” Chris Russo, a sports radio broadcaster, called it “ridiculous” because people will likely be spending time with their families on Christmas Day.
Beyoncé’s performance comes weeks after her husband Jay-Z was named in a lawsuit alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. The NFL said its relationship with Jay-Z would not change amid the lawsuit. Netflix will also air Mariah Carey’s holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” before the first game begins.
The event is part of Netflix’s efforts to break into live programming, following a successful live sports streaming event last month. With over 60 million viewers tuning in, the service hopes to avoid glitches and delays this time around.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/12/25/what-to-know-about-todays-nfl-christmas-games-when-and-where-to-watch-the-action-and-beyonc-halftime-show