Netflix just notched a significant victory in the live-sports arena. On Christmas Day, the streaming giant aired two NFL games nearly glitch-free—raking in an average concurrent audience of around 24 million viewers and topping it all off with a show-stopping Beyoncé halftime performance.
The Games at a Glance
- Chiefs vs. Steelers: 24.1 million average-minute audience
- Texans vs. Ravens: 24.3 million average-minute audience
- Beyoncé Halftime Show: 27 million average-minute audience
In total, the day’s programming reportedly drew 65 million unique accounts across Netflix’s 190-country footprint. Once international data is finalized, the average-minute audience for the NFL games could reach 30 million.
Why It Matters
- A Tech Triumph
Streaming live events for millions worldwide is no small feat. Netflix’s prior attempts—like the much-hyped Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight—faced crippling glitches. This time, the near-flawless performance proved Netflix can handle a massive surge in traffic. - Major Subscriber Pull
Live sports are a subscriber magnet: fans tune in to watch games in real time, which helps reduce churn and attract new viewers. With Netflix’s success, the company’s push into sports broadcasting could reshape the streaming wars. - Massive Investment
According to Forbes, Netflix spent over $150 million for the rights to this NFL game day—and added another hefty check for Beyoncé’s halftime show. The payoff, in viewership and global buzz, positions Netflix to make even bigger sports bids soon.
Eyes on the Future
- WWE’s Monday Night Raw: Starting next year, Netflix will begin streaming weekly professional wrestling content, further expanding its live-sports portfolio.
- FIFA Women’s World Cup: Netflix has secured streaming rights for the next two editions of this prestigious tournament, boosting its global sports presence.
Now that Netflix has proven it can deliver dependable, large-scale livestreams, the streamer is poised to outbid rivals for top-tier sports rights. If it continues to deliver glitch-free experiences, we can expect Netflix to become a dominant force in global sports broadcasting.
