Beyoncé’s halftime show on Christmas Day captivated audiences more than the football games themselves during Netflix’s NFL debut. The iconic singer, known for her impressive 32 Grammy Awards, dazzled the Houston crowd with a nearly 13-minute performance. She made a grand entrance riding a white horse and surprised fans by bringing out Shaboozey for a performance of “Sweet Honey Buckiin,” as well as collaborating with Post Malone on “Levii’s Jeans.”
The football matches, featuring top teams from the AFC, fell short of expectations. In the first game, Kansas City, led by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, decisively defeated Pittsburgh 29-10, showcasing a dominant offensive strategy that revealed weaknesses in the Steelers’ defense. The broadcast itself performed well, quickly becoming Netflix’s second-most popular live title, despite earlier minor streaming issues.
Before Beyoncé took the stage, Mariah Carey opened the doubleheader with a pre-recorded rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The Kansas City Chiefs solidified their position as the number one seed in the AFC playoffs following their win, while the Steelers faced their third consecutive loss, now likely relegating them to a wildcard spot rather than an AFC North title.
Netflix, which struck a three-year deal in May to air Christmas Day games, marked a significant milestone by broadcasting NFL games globally for the first time, available in multiple languages. The streaming service reported strong viewer engagement, achieving a record for concurrent viewers during the pregame show.
This success indicates that despite facing hurdles in previous events, Netflix has improved its streaming infrastructure, providing an engaging experience for fans. The integration of live sports with entertainment performances signifies an exciting future for both streaming services and sports broadcasting, providing fans with a fully immersive experience during high-profile events.
As Netflix continues to expand its portfolio and tackle live sports broadcasting, this event suggests a promising evolution in how audiences experience entertainment and sports together.