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Netflix’s In-Game Zoom Interviews Draw Backlash During NFL Christmas Broadcasts

Viewers criticized the mid-game Zoom segments for poor timing, technical glitches, lost focus on live play.

Overview

  • Netflix inserted live, remote interviews with Emmitt Smith, Clinton Portis, Barry Sanders and Cris Carter during the Cowboys-Commanders and Lions-Vikings games.
  • Multiple interviews suffered audio and video issues, and fans panned the segments as low-quality interruptions to active game coverage.
  • Criticism intensified when a Barry Sanders interview continued as Lions tackle Penei Sewell was down injured, prompting the broadcast to cut the segment short.
  • Social media reactions included calls for Netflix to be barred from future NFL broadcasts over the mid-game interviews.
  • Netflix holds exclusive rights to two NFL Christmas Day games under a multi-year deal with the league, with Mirror US reporting a $150 million fee for this year’s doubleheader.