Here's hoping Netflix's live streaming abilities can handle Beyoncé
By Reed Gaudens
As if Christmas couldn't get more exciting, Netflix went ahead a booked one of the biggest stars on the planet to perform during the streamer's inaugural live NFL broadcast. Santa Claus isn't the only one bringing cheer on the big day this year as Grammy Award-winning superstar Beyoncé will put on another spectacular halftime performance on Christmas Day.
On, Nov. 17, Netflix and Beyoncé announced that the pop icon is set to perform during the halftime portion of the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game that's streaming live on Netflix on Dec. 25. According to Netflix, Beyoncé will perform songs from her Grammy-nominated album Cowboy Carter for the first time, though she's likely to also play some hits, too.
Beyoncé takes the stage during the second of Netflix's pair of Christmas Day NFL games, the first being the Kansas City Chiefs playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs vs. Steelers game begins at 1 p.m. ET, while the Ravens vs. Texans game kicks off at 4:30 ET, leaving Beyoncé to dazzle crowds worldwide sometime that evening.
So far, details about Beyoncé's performance are being kept hush hush, but Netflix's press release suggests the singer could rally up some of her famous friends featured on Cowboy Carter to make guest appearances. The album features vocals from Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Dolly Parton, Shaboozey, and more.
Can Netflix's live streaming handle Beyoncé?
As of late, Netflix's live streaming abilities have been the source of much doubt and frustration as the streamer's recent live streams have encountered significant setbacks. From the botched live Love is Blind reunion special to the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, viewers have complained about video quality and Netflix crashing altogether. Christmas will be the biggest test yet.
Next up, two major NFL games will challenge the limits of Netflix's live streaming capacity with possibly the largest audience the streamer has ever seen watching all at once. Not only does the NFL pack in the viewers, but the Chiefs vs. Steelers game will surely feature appearances from Taylor Swift as she cheers on boyfriend Travis Kelce, and now the Beyhive will show out in full force.
Hopefully, Netflix has learned from its most recent struggles in the live streaming department and the pair of NFL Christmas Day games go off without a hitch. But if you're hoping to watch free of any technical difficulty interruptions, Netflix has revealed other ways fans can watch the games without needing to pray that Netflix won't crash and ruin your holiday spirit.
In addition to streaming live on Netflix, the games will air on broadcast television in the competing teams' cities, those being, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Houston, and Baltimore. Also, the games can be streamed on NFL+ on mobile devices in the United States. So, if Netflix can't handle Beyoncé, there are contingency plans in play for those who didn't want to miss THE Cowboy Carter performance.
Stay tuned for more Netflix news and updates from Netflix Life!