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After more than 15 years of growing its streaming library and selection of original productions, Netflix has begun experimenting with live streaming, making the switch to become a proper broadcaster.
Netflix’s live-streaming events have seen mixed results, but its future may rely on perfecting its success—as it did when building its DVD delivery service into the behemoth streaming service we know today.
What Is Netflix Live Streaming?
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage
The first test of Netflix’s live streaming (that’s actually just a reinvention of something that already exists on cable) was Chris Rock’s 2023 stand-up specialSelective Outrage. As Netflix is not typically one for live events (just look at how shy it is about putting its original movies in proper theaters), it had to think like a live event planner to pull off a successful broadcast ofChris Rock: Selective Outrage.
This meant turning Baltimore, Maryland’s Hippodrome Theatre into a broadcast studio for one night only. The theater took out hundreds of seats to make room for all the technical equipment, which included over a dozen cameras, plenty of lighting, and tons of A/V gear. Surprisingly, it went off more or less without a hitch.
From there, Netflix has continued to implement its live-streaming technology wherever it could. While live broadcasts are commonplace for traditional network television, they’re basically unheard of in the streaming space. This is bound to come with some hiccups, and boy, have there been hiccups.
Every Netflix Live Streaming Event So Far
After the March 2023 broadcast ofChris Rock: Selective Outrage, Netflix followed up with a planned live reunion ofLove Is BlindSeason Four in April 2023. However, it failed to get the technology working properly, resulting in hours of delay before ultimately broadcasting a taped special instead.
Following that debacle, Netflix broadcasted its TUDUM 2023 fan event in June and launchedBaby Animal CamandBaby Gorilla Camlater that fall. It then ventured into live sports for the first time with the golf tournament The Netflix Cup in November 2023 and secured the rights to weekly live broadcasts ofWWE Raw(slated to begin in January 2025).
In 2024, Netflix broadcasted the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in February and the tennis exhibitionThe Netflix Slamin April, with more Iive streaming sporting events scheduled.
Is Netflix Live Streaming Any Good? 3 Things It Should Change
Netflix’s live streaming is good, but it has some serious wrinkles that need to be ironed out. Otherwise, this new service might not ever get a chance to reach its full potential. With just a few tweaks, it could become one of thebest live sports streaming siteson the internet.
Picture Quality
First and foremost: picture quality. While Netflix’s uploads look fine after the fact, those who have tuned into a live Netflix event can attest to the unimpressive picture quality of the stream. This won’t do for more high-profile events, especially when broadcast television doesn’t have nearly as many issues.
Stream Interruptions
Second, Netflix needs to change its streaming methods to prevent excessive interruptions. The disaster that was the failedLove Is BlindSeason Four reunion broadcast made for a real public relations nightmare. If Netflix thoughtLove Is Blindfans were tough on social media, try upsetting fight fans tuning in to see Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson.
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Netflix Live Streaming Needs Work
As it stands, Netflix live streaming is a perfectly serviceable feature on a streamer with more gimmicks than you can count on two hands. However, it will need some serious work in a few different departments to be a serious contender against traditional live television. Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will be the true test of whether Netflix will stand as one of thebest live-streaming platformsor just an expensive fad.
Given the sheer number of live-streaming events to date, there’s no question that Netflix feels confident in its broadcasts so far—as they should, for the record. Though there have been some bumps in the road, Netflix shows serious promise in the continued rollout of these live streams.
