AceShowbiz - Netflix's "NFL Christmas Gameday Live" event captivated audiences worldwide, achieving "the most-streamed NFL games in the U.S. history," according to Nielsen ratings. The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game garnered a 24.1 million average minute audience (AMA), while the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens drew 24.3 million AMA, totaling nearly 65 million total viewers.

Beyonce Knowles' halftime performance at the Ravens-Texans game peaked with 27 million viewers, attracting viewers from over 200 countries. Netflix also highlighted Mariah Carey's holiday classic performance at the start of the Chiefs-Steelers game.

Despite facing criticism from those without Netflix access, the streaming service successfully navigated the technical challenges of live game coverage. CBS Sports produced the live games, while NFL Network handled the pre- and post-game segments. EverWonder Studio, backed by Jeff Zucker's RedBird IMI, served as the executive producer.

Netflix CEO Bela Bajaria expressed gratitude for the partnership with the NFL and praised the performances of Beyonce and Carey. NFL Executive Vice President Hans Schroeder applauded the global reach of the games and the presence of top NFL stars.

The NFL's Christmas Day showcase is part of a larger strategy to expand the reach of American football internationally. The league has invested in regular-season games in London, Munich and other cities to attract new fans.

While the NBA traditionally held the spotlight on Christmas Day, it reported a "most-watched Christmas Day in five years," with an average of 5.25 million viewers per game in the US. Notably, the Lakers vs. Warriors game peaked at 8.2 million viewers.

Netflix's venture into live sports aligns with its evolving business model and growing emphasis on sponsorship deals. The streaming platform offers the NFL unparalleled access to high-end TV consumers globally. Despite initial concerns, Netflix's technical infrastructure proved reliable during the demanding live event.