Total Pro Sports
Netflix’s first big NFL Christmas Day broadcast didn’t go over well with fans. The streaming platform aired Cowboys vs. Commanders and Lions vs. Vikings, but many viewers said the experience ruined the action.
Netflix brought in plenty of familiar faces for the Christmas games. Kay Adams hosted the studio show, joined by Michael Irvin, Austin Ekeler, and Jason McCourty. Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson, and Matt Ryan called the early game, while Noah Eagle and Drew Brees handled the night game. On paper, the lineup looked strong. Fans felt the execution missed the mark.
Viewers complained that there was too much talking and not enough football. Netflix aired live interviews while plays were happening. Legends like Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, and Cris Carter popped on screen during drives. Many fans said this distracted from the action and broke the flow of the game.
The criticism spread quickly on social media. Basically, no one can understand why the NFL trusted Netflix with live games at all. Netflix signed a three-year deal in May 2023 to carry Christmas Day games, making this only its second holiday run with the league.
Fans did not hold back.
One viewer wrote on X, “These former player Zoom interviews while game is being played are a terrible idea.”
These former player Zoom interviews while game is being played are a terrible idea
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) December 25, 2025
Another added, “Why is it every time @Netflix does an NFL game I feel the need to post about how terrible their broadcast is?”
Why is it every time @Netflix does an NFL game I feel the need to post about how terrible their broadcast is? pic.twitter.com/BYRUwKnLtU
— JF Shillingsworth ✝️ (@JShillingsworth) December 25, 2025
Some fans attacked the production quality. One post read, “These Netflix NFL broadcasts are amateurish. The in game interviews are a disaster. The scorebug looks like it was made by cheap AI.”
These Netflix NFL broadcasts are amateurish. The in-game-interviews are a disaster. The scorebug looks like it was made by cheap AI. And the broadcast crew has absolutely no juice. And why the fuck is a wrestler giving me football analysis at halftime? pic.twitter.com/NbNa5GDnIF
— Caleb Champeau (@CalebShampoo) December 25, 2025
Others said the nonstop talk left them confused. “There is constant talking and interviewing over a game and not commenting on the actual play,” one viewer wrote. “This is not football.”
Actually watching nfl on Netflix today and I honestly have no idea what's going on. There is constant talking and interviewing over a game and not commenting on the actual play of the game. Wtf is this horseshit. This is not football.
— Rapp 🐊🏈🔥 (@Teknologikk) December 25, 2025
Several fans aimed their anger at the league itself***. “Hey @NFL stop selling games to @netflix. They can’t handle it,”*** one post said.
