Business | Playing offence

Netflix has big ambitions for live sport

Christmas NFL games are just the start

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, USA.
Photograph: AP

The HOLIDAY season is a time for family, food—and, at least for some people, American football. As in previous years, teams in the National Football League (NFL) played on Christmas day, watched live by millions. Unusually, though, the broadcaster this year was Netflix, which live-streamed two games (and a musical interlude by Beyoncé).

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This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Playing offence”

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