**Netflix Faces Scrutiny Over Buffering Issues Amid NFL Streaming Plans**

Netflix might have captivated around 60 million households with the highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, but viewers were left frustrated as buffering problems plagued the event. Radio host Howard Stern has cautioned the streaming giant to resolve these issues before venturing to stream two high-profile NFL games on Christmas Day. "People are pissed," Stern expressed to his Sirius XM audience on Monday. He emphasized the critical nature of a smooth broadcast for football fans, "You mess up people's football, there is hell to pay."

Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy, echoed the public sentiment on social media, highlighting the persistent buffering problems. Portnoy shared his frustration, stating he couldn't determine if the issue lay with his internet or was a widespread problem with Netflix. In a subsequent post, he concluded, “The reports are in. #netflix wasn't ready for this. This is unwatchable.”

Netflix responded to the backlash with a statement on Instagram, attributing the buffering issues to the overwhelming success of the event. Despite the attempt to put a positive spin on the situation, the response did little to appease upset viewers. In an internal email reported by Bloomberg, Netflix's CTO, Elizabeth Stone, acknowledged the technical difficulties and praised the launch team’s efforts in maintaining stream stability for the majority of viewers. She also recognized the poor experience for some subscribers and emphasized the need for improvement.

As Christmas Day approaches, Netflix is set to broadcast NFL games featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Houston Texans taking on the Baltimore Ravens. This event will also feature Beyoncé performing at the halftime show, with plans to debut tracks from her "Cowboy Carter" album.

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, highlighted the streaming service's strategic shift towards live events, including sports, to capitalize on massive fandoms. She expressed excitement about the upcoming NFL games, stating that no other live annual events can match football’s audience draw.

With the Christmas Day NFL games on the horizon, all eyes will be on Netflix to deliver a seamless viewer experience, ensuring they don’t fumble under the pressure once again.