With several technical problems during the pregame show, Netflix’s (NFLX, Financials) much awaited arrival into NFL broadcasting on Christmas Day started off uneven. Viewers first expressed early worries about audio issues including presenter Kay Adams’ microphone failing and an unplanned commercial break during analyst Mina Kimes’ analysis.
Widespread outages, buffering, and lagging problems annoyed many spectators during the live broadcast of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing event, echoing similar technical problems seen here. These prior incidences raised questions over Netflix’s capacity to manage the technological requirements of prominent live athletic events.
Though there were some early problems, Netflix did not disclose any significant buffering throughout the real NFL events. Strong viewership for the Chiefs-Steelers game revealed by NFL media suggested that technological problems during the pregame show did not greatly discourage people from turning in.
With its $150 million purchase of the rights to broadcast two Christmas Day NFL games, Netflix marks its major foray into the realm of live sports. Although the early technological problems drew criticism, the effective presentation of the games itself points to Netflix’s understanding and adaptation to the difficulties of live sports broadcasting.
NFLX stock is up 97.4% as the year draws to a close.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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