Mariah Carey infused holiday cheer into Netflix’s NFL doubleheader on Wednesday with a captivating performance of her iconic song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The pop superstar kicked off the streaming platform’s Christmas game day festivities in a dazzling red ensemble, performing atop a festively decorated rooftop complete with artificial snow and Christmas trees, while being joined by Santa Claus and elves in a lively dance.
The charming performance was shared on Netflix’s social media, accompanied by an enthusiastic post that read, “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A MARIAH CAREY KICKOFF.” The track, which Carey wrote at the age of 22, achieved triple-platinum status in its debut year of 1994 and continues to be a staple of holiday playlists, though its listener numbers have faced some decline recently.
The NFL games, produced by CBS Sports, featured matchups including the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans. Anticipation is also building for a halftime performance by the legendary Beyoncé during the second match.
This event marks a significant moment for Netflix as it ventures deeper into live event programming, a strategy evidenced by its lineup of future high-profile broadcasts, including weekly WWE shows starting soon, along with the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
Both Carey and Beyoncé’s performances were highly promoted by Netflix in the run-up to the games. Carey teased her participation by stating in a video, “The NFL is live on Netflix, and I’ll be there too,” while Beyoncé humorously acknowledged Netflix’s prior streaming challenges in her promotional activities.
In summary, this festive event not only showcased the holiday spirit with iconic performances but also exemplified Netflix’s commitment to expanding its live broadcasting capabilities. The mixing of sports and entertainment highlights an exciting direction for the platform and offers viewers a unique blend of celebration and competition during the holiday season.
Overall, the collaboration of holiday music and live sports presents an engaging and festive experience for audiences, paving the way for more innovative programming in the future.