### Netflix Faces Technical Hurdles Ahead of Christmas Day NFL Broadcast

Netflix's venture into live sports streaming faced significant setbacks with its recent pro boxing event, raising concerns about its readiness to air two exclusive NFL games this Christmas.

Netflix faced severe technical challenges during the live broadcast of the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson bout from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Viewers, including The Athletic's media writer Andrew Marchand, encountered frequent buffering and freezing throughout the event. Social media was abuzz with complaints, and the website Down Detector reported nearly 85,000 viewers experiencing outages or streaming issues leading up to the fight.

This glitch-ridden broadcast stands in stark contrast to Amazon Prime Video's seamless handling of tech issues since becoming the exclusive partner for NFL’s Thursday Night Football in 2022. While Amazon had its share of initial hiccups, it quickly overcame them and now enjoys a successful run, free from significant technical disruptions.

Friday’s boxing event wasn’t an isolated incident for Netflix. The streaming giant faced severe backlash during a live reunion of "Love Is Blind" in April 2023, where users could not access the stream. Netflix apologized promptly, yet these recurring issues cast a shadow over its ability to manage high-stakes live sports streaming.

Netflix's upcoming broadcast of two NFL games on Christmas Day—Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans—is a crucial test. Both CBS and the NFL Network will handle game production and coverage, with Netflix solely responsible for transmission and streaming. Given the broadcast's implications on playoff seeding, any technical malfunctions could severely damage Netflix's reputation among NFL fans.

Amid these challenges, Netflix has already sold out its advertising inventory for the Christmas Day games. Success in this endeavor is crucial for both Netflix and the NFL, as the partnership represents a long-term potential for revenue generation.

The NFL, an institution with high standards for broadcasting quality, is keen to avoid a repeat of Friday’s issues. Expectations are high, and the league cannot afford buffering issues with millions of fans tuning in. Both Netflix and the NFL will be in the spotlight, making Christmas Day a pivotal moment in the streaming service's sports journey.