Netflix is diving headfirst into the world of live sports, and Christmas Day NFL games will be their latest test. This move comes after their first major attempt at live sports -- the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight -- was marred by frustrating buffering issues that led to widespread complaints.
While many found the situation amusing at the time, there's real concern about what might happen if NFL games, especially high-stakes matchups, experience similar disruptions. Picture this: an angry dad, eggnog in hand, launching a new electric scooter at his brand-new TCL television.
The stakes couldn't be higher for Netflix this time around. After all, they're a company that helped revolutionize the streaming industry, so it's baffling that they're struggling with a technical issue that platforms like Amazon Prime and Peacock seem to handle without breaking a sweat.
Sure, Amazon's Thursday Night Football games often fall short in terms of quality, but they manage to deliver the content with minimal technical hiccups. It's strange that Netflix, with all its resources and track record in streaming, is behind the curve.
However, according to Netflix Vice President of Nonfiction Series and Sports Brandon Riegg, the company has learned from its mistakes. Speaking with the Associated Press, Riegg acknowledged the issues with the Paul-Tyson event and reassured viewers that the streaming giant had made significant improvements.
"The sheer tonnage of people that came to watch was incredible," Riegg explained. "The only way to test something of that magnitude is to have something of that magnitude." He emphasized that their engineering team has worked tirelessly to improve the system, so they're ready for the massive demand the NFL games will bring.
Let's hope this time, Netflix's foray into live sports goes smoother than a buffering circle on Christmas Day. If it doesn't, well, there's always Seinfeld to fall back on.