When the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers faced off on Christmas Day, it marked the dawn of a new era for NFL broadcasts. This game kicked off a three-season partnership between the NFL and Netflix, positioning the streaming giant as the "home of the NFL's two Christmas Day marquee games."
Announced in May 2024, the partnership is the league's latest effort to cement Christmas Day football as a holiday tradition.
So, how did Netflix’s debut NFL broadcast fare? Here are some takeaways from their Wednesday presentation.
First impressions aren't everything, right?
For NFL fans eagerly tuning in, Netflix stumbled out of the gate. The broadcast opened with reporter Kay Adams setting the stage for the day’s games—except viewers at home couldn’t hear her. Audio issues plagued the first 20 seconds of the broadcast, leaving fans frustrated. Despite the hiccup, the broadcast pressed on smoothly ahead of the Chiefs-Steelers matchup, proving that first impressions aren’t everything.
The video, audio buffering issues were nonexistent for most viewers
Netflix had a lot to prove after its disastrous handling of a major sports event earlier this year. Viewers of the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in November endured audio glitches and persistent buffering, raising concerns about the platform’s ability to handle live events. Fortunately for NFL fans, those issues didn’t carry over to Christmas Day.
After kickoff, reports of streaming issues were almost nonexistent. Fans described the stream as “perfect” more often than not, and Netflix’s infrastructure seemed to hold up ahead of a halftime performance by Beyoncé in the later Christmas Day game. For football purists watching Chiefs-Steelers, the stream was seamless after the opening snap.
Initial reactions to Netflix's scorebug, theme were mixed.
I HATE it
— Zach Gunter (@ZGKC08) December 25, 2024
Wednesday’s broadcast introduced NFL fans to Netflix’s unique presentation style, and the reception was...mixed. The most polarizing element? The scorebug—the graphic displaying the game’s essential information.
While it clearly displayed the score, time remaining, and down-and-distance, its central placement at the bottom of the screen and stacked design felt unconventional. Netflix opted for a distinct arch shape rather than the sharp right angles typical of other broadcasts, which left some viewers unsettled. Though jarring at first, it’s likely a matter of adjustment for fans as Netflix becomes a regular player in NFL broadcasting.
The commentary and reporting team matched Christmas Day vibe
The Chiefs-Steelers game featured a strong trio in the booth: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Nate Burleson (analyst), and J.J. Watt (analyst). Each brought a unique flavor to the broadcast.
Ian Eagle, JJ Watt, and Nate Burleson in the booth for #KCvsPIT. #NFLonNetflix pic.twitter.com/xxSsuXgsLJ
— Netflix (@netflix) December 25, 2024
Eagle, a seasoned NFL voice, provided the steady and familiar play-by-play fans expect. Burleson, a polished two-time Sports Emmy Award winner, blended sharp football IQ with humor and vibrant energy, perfectly matching the Christmas Day vibe. Chiefs fans in particular likely appreciated his insights—Burleson famously predicted Kansas City’s 38-35 victory over Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVII.
Watt, a relative newcomer to broadcasting, added authenticity and charm with well-researched commentary and light humor. While he’s still developing his voice in the booth, his appearances on The Pat McAfee Show and CBS broadcasts have already showcased his knack for analysis.
The Christmas Day broadcast was a welcome gift for NFL fans
Despite some early technical issues, Netflix’s Christmas Day broadcast delivered a surprisingly strong debut. The second-half production, with its diverse instant replays and crisp camera cuts, felt reminiscent of CBS’s polished broadcasts—raising the overall quality to something fans are familiar with. For many viewers, this left a lasting positive impression.
Adding on another streaming service and subscription for non-Netflix users is frustrating, but that is the nature of the financial beast that is the NFL. For its part, Netflix put forward a commendable product. Outside of a few early lapses, Wednesday’s offering was a promising start to what could become a new holiday tradition for football fans.