NFL Netflix Debut on Christmas Day Starts Smoothly

Netflix made its NFL debut on Christmas Day without a hitch, delighting viewers with a festive doubleheader that featured Mariah Carey singing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up, the Baltimore Ravens will take on the Houston Texans, showcasing some of the AFC’s top talent.

Back in May, Netflix inked a three-year deal to broadcast Christmas Day games, setting the stage for one of its most significant days since launching in 1998. With a whopping 282.3 million subscribers across 190 countries, Netflix is breaking new ground by streaming these games in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.

While Netflix encountered some streaming issues during the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight on Nov. 14, they seem to have ironed out any kinks for the NFL games. Despite a few minor mishaps in the pregame show, such as a brief moment of silence due to a microphone hiccup, everything ran smoothly for Wednesday’s matchups.

Up next, fans can look forward to halftime entertainment from none other than Beyoncé at NRG Stadium during the Ravens-Texans game. The NFL’s decision to play games on a Wednesday, a rare occurrence since 1948, brings a new level of excitement to the holiday season for football fans worldwide.