Beyoncé is headed back to Houston for the holidays and the Texans’ game against the Ravens.
Queen Bee takes center stage this holiday season at NRG Stadium.
Superstar singer and 32-time Grammy Awarding-winning entertainer Beyoncé will perform at halftime of the Houston Texans’ Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team and Netflix announced Sunday night.
Houston, which also plays on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Cheifs, returns five days later to participate in one that will be streamed exclusively on Netflix. The Chiefs will open the afternoon with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at noon.
A native of Houston, Beyoncé’s performance will air exclusively on the streaming site as part of the flare. This marks the first time she’s performed at an NFL event since her collaboration in 2016 with Coldplay and Bruno Mars at Super Bowl L in Santa Clara, California.
That performance ended up being one of the most-watched Super Bowl halftime shows, with 115.5 million tuned to see her perform “Formation.”
The concert will also mark the first time she’s performed songs from her Cowboy Carter album, which was nominated for 11 Grammys.
“Your early Christmas wish has been granted as Beyoncé will perform during Netflix’s first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday live on Netflix this December 25,” a statement released by Netflix read. “The performance will take place during the second of Netflix’s two games, as the Houston Texans host the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium at 4:30 PM ET.
This performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas, produced by her company, Parkwood Entertainment and Jesse Collins Entertainment, will be the first live performance of songs from her genre-bending and record-breaking COWBOY CARTER, album. The 11-time Grammy-nominated, juggernaut recently became the most nominated album by a female artist.”
The Netflix Christmas Day games will air on broadcast TV in the competing team cities and be available on U.S. mobile devices with NFL+.
Netflix apparently drew 60 million for Tyson-Paul, which likely impacted the buggy broadcast.
Netflix on Saturday revealed 60 million households worldwide spent (wasted?) Friday evening watching two annoying windbags pummel each other for money.
Netflix said the broadcast pull had “our buffering systems on the ropes.”
Fans who are worried about watching the NFL this Christmas or WWE Raw in January might be heartened to know the Tyson-Paul clown show drew much more of an audience share than your average football game or wrestling match.
In comparison, Amazon is reportedly averaging 13 million viewers a week for its Thursday night NFL broadcasts, per Front Office Sports. Last Monday’s broadcast of WWE Raw drew a little more than 1.5 million viewers, per Wrestlenomics.
Last Christmas, the NFL brought in an average viewership of 29.2 million for the Kansas City Chiefs-Las Vegas Raiders game, likely heightened by intrigue in Taylor Swift’s attendance.
With the Chiefs playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on one of the Netflix broadcasts and Swift’s attendance a definite possibility, the streamer could be attracting around 30 million viewers for that Christmas broadcast.
While Friday’s Tyson-Paul broadcast had its glaring issues (both in the ring and with the live-streaming), Netflix has time to amend its infrastructure before the holidays and its WWE broadcasts next year.
For bigger events than regular-season NFL games and WWE matches, Netflix might have its hands full with mounting a problem-free broadcast.
Netflix’ poor job on Tyson-Paul sparked a series of memes
Call it the Nightmare Before Thanksgiving with the sequel being the Nightmare on Christmas Day.
Netflix broadcast the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight on Nov. 15. Or at least it tried to do so.
Viewers had to feel like they were in a time warp as the picture kept buffering as it would have a few decades ago. It was a bad look for a platform that has NFL games on Christmas Day.
The Internet was faster than Netflix’ technology to poke fun.
We got proof of that in a couple of different ways on Friday night with the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight. There were issues for Netflix all night with buffering, and that left fans of the WWE and NFL worried about the streamer’s ability to broadcast their events.
And then there was that pre-fight interview with Tyson, who finished chatting and walked away with the camera right on him … and there it was! Tyson’s bare butt, for all the world to see (unless you had issues with the broadcast).
We won’t show it here (we’re a family website!), but here you go. That link should help.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight on Friday night when it comes to the streaming broadcast: it’s on Netflix, which means if you’re a subscriber, you get the fight at no extra cost. Woohoo!
But you might be wondering if there’s a way to get Netflix for free. Sometimes, streamers will give new users a free trial before charging them for a full sub.
That’s not happening here. Per Netflix: “Netflix does not offer free trials, but you have the freedom to change your plan or cancel online at any time if you decide Netflix isn’t for you.”
Paul made millions as a YouTuber and now he’s doing the same as a boxer. He’ll be taking home millions of dollars from his upcoming fight with Mike Tyson, too.
There are no confirmed figures on the fight as of yet, but Paul, himself, said that he’s here to “make $40 million and knock out a legend” in a promotional YouTube video.
On Tyson’s side of things, his figure is supposedly in the $20 million area somewhere, according to USA Today’s Mark Giannotto.
“Boxing industry experts have estimated Tyson could make somewhere in the range of $20 million at various times since the event was announced last March. Jimmy Kimmel, when Tyson was a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC last month, alluded to the alleged price tag while speaking to the former heavyweight champion.”
The bottom line: There’s a lot of money riding on this fight for both boxers. That’s why this is happening, after all.
That’s right, on Friday, we’ll get to watch the 58-year-old fight Paul and it’ll be streaming on Netflix. And if you’re here, you might be wondering: how do I get a subscription?
That’s what we’re here to help you with as we get set for the fight. It’s fairly easy and you get some other stuff with a subscription beyond the ability to stream it.
Let’s dive in and answer your questions you might have:
What is Netflix?
It’s the streaming service that used to send you DVDs to watch but now has a digital library of so many shows, movies, documentaries, and — occasionally — live sports.
How much does Netflix cost?
If you get the standard version with ads, it costs $6.99 a month. The “standard” version with no ads, games and more is $15.49 a month.
Do I need anything extra to watch the Tyson-Paul fight?
Nope. If you have any Netflix membership, you get the ability to stream the fight.
Can I cancel Netflix after I watch the fight?
I mean, sure, but you’ll still be charged the monthly fee if you go that route.
Netflix’s documentary series about the NBA, Starting 5, will come back for a second season and that is fantastic news for basketball fans.
The first season featured big stars LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Jimmy Butler, and Domantas Sabonis. It was an enjoyable and entertaining watch that offered fascinating insights into the world of players at dramatically different points in their careers.
USA TODAY’s For The Win spoke to Sabonis about his experience filming the show and what it was like having a documentary career following him around during the Sacramento Kings season.
For those that watched and enjoyed, they can have something more to look forward to.
Sources: Cast for season two of Netflix's NBA documentary series Starting 5: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Haliburton. 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/FYlsRDLf0o
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the show is coming back for another season (!) and will feature five new fresh faces.
The cast is Kevin Durant, James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Haliburton. The show will follow them during the 2024-25 NBA campaign, which features Brown defending his 2024 NBA championship and Gilgeous-Alexander pursing a potential MVP award.
Kristen Bell calls this her “best” kiss she has had on TV.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Netflix’s Nobody Wants This. Do not read if you have not yet seen this show!
One of the most pleasantly surprising shows of the year was Nobody Wants This, which starred Adam Brody and Kristen Bell.
Brody became popular in the early aughts when he starred as Seth Cohen in The O.C., which debuted in 2003. Bell also began her claim to fame as the titular Veronica Mars, which first aired in 2004. Both shows famously took place in Southern California.
Nobody Wants This is like if the two beloved characters began dating 20 years later. Brody, however, is now playing a hot rabbi and not a high school student slash comic book artist. Bell, meanwhile, plays a podcast host rather than a high school and college turned slash part time private investigator.
The show premiered on Netflix last week, first streaming on September 26, and it is now the No. 1 series on the streaming platform.
Other supporting actors include Timothy Simons, who was prominently featured in HBO’s Veep as Jonah Ryan. Also co-starring is Justine Lupe, who you may recognize as Willa from HBO’s Succession.
While the supporting cast occasionally steals the show, fans are here to see the chemistry between Brody and Bell. Nowhere was that more apparent than the scene when the two share their first kiss:
Let’s be honest: If you liked romantic comedies, this moment freaking rocked.
It had absolutely everything you could possibly want from a first kiss, including a “will they, won’t they” back and forth as well as great lighting and a scenic view of Los Angeles.
This scene also featured a silly sequence in which Bell’s character needed to put down her ice cream and then get into an Uber, giving the moment a sense of elevated purpose.
Not only did Brody keep his hand on Bell’s face for a very long time, but the soundtrack of “See Her Out (That’s Just Life)” by Francis and the Lights was genuinely a perfect choice.
Plus, the kiss itself is quite intense and thrilling for obvious reasons as well.
During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the actor was asked specifically about this scene. Here is what Brody said:
“I think because we know each other, it is less strange, as strange as that might sound. I think there is some trust there. There is some familiarity.”
Sabonis talks about how terrifying it was to film a show for Netflix.
Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis stars in the new Netflix series Starting5, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his life.
The show is the NBA’s version of Drive to Survive (Formula 1 racing) or Break Point (tennis) and it provides a fascinating look at players around the league.
Sabonis stars alongside LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards. He recently attended the Netflix premiere of the show in Los Angeles and spoke to us about the screening.
“It was a great experience,” Sabonis told USA TODAY’s For The Win. “I’m honored to be a part of it. I’m excited for the fans to really get a deep look. I feel like the fans know what we do on our personal Instagram stories but this is stuff like you wake up and there is a camera in your face. You’re not doing that on social media.”
These included private moments like dressing up for Halloween as Big Bird from Sesame Street as his son, Tiger Sabonis, was Cookie Monster.
Fans will also see him in his beautiful home picking tomatoes with his wife and spending quality time with his family as he reckons with what it was like to have his father Arvydas Sabonis play in the NBA.
On the court, the show captures him while he is mic’d up and actively calling out plays on both ends of the floor, setting hard screens and establishing real leadership traits.
Here is more from his conversation with USA TODAY’s For The Win. The show will premiere via Netflix on October 9.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
What were your impressions of the screening and watching yourself?
(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Sabonis: It’s scary, you know? I’ve never done that. So I was trying to melt into my seat while we were watching. But it’s really cool. People are going to see another side of me that they do not know. They probably know me as the guy they hate on the Kings when I play against their team. They think I’m just a bruiser who plays hard every game. Now they’re going to see this husband and family side of me and it’s going to give it a different light. I think it went well. The feedback from the theater: Everyone was cheering and laughing, you know? It felt really good and it was my first experience on a red carpet and seeing a screening. It felt real and the hype was there.
What inspired you to participate in Starting 5?
Sabonis: When they asked me to participate, it was kind of a no-brainer and it was an honor to be a part of that list. I feel like a lot of people in the NBA do not know about me as much as they should. I’ve been in the league for a while now. I wanted to shine a light on Sacramento as an organization and see what’s really going on there, we’ve got a good thing going with the culture. We’ve changed the franchise the last couple of years. It’s for people to see and dive into my life and the Kings and all of that. It’s a behind the scenes look. It shows every player’s personality on and off the court and the way they play. They really talk about your body and how you take care of it. I use my body a lot so I have to take care of it more. They really show all those little details behind the scenes.
Sabonis: It was definitely the most cameras I had on me. Every day, you wake up, it’s in your face. You go to the bathroom, they’re there. You go on a family vacation during NBA All-Star Weekend, they are on the plane with you. It’s more than any person might ever think. You do not really get a break. But it was definitely a lot of fun. It took some time getting used to and then it happened smoothly. We have kids at home and we are just trying to be the best parents for our kids. Everything was just very natural. I think it was just the first couple of days we filmed, it was definitely strange. They’re there: How do you act? Do you look at the camera? On the court, we are used to having cameras all the time. Off the court, our kid made it so easy because you are basically catering them. They are your one focus and then you basically act normal.
What was something unexpected that made it in the show?
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sabonis: Inside my home and what we do daily. I’m kind of a private guy and to be able to show everybody the amount of things I do, they will wonder: How is he doing this before a game? You will see. I’m doing stuff with my kids. It works for me. I put my family first. Every day in my life, I focus on my family. So when they came, my kids were there. My son Tiger loved being in front of the camera. He was trying to be the star of the show. At first, he was a bit worried about the cameras. But then he got comfortable with them. Netflix had the same crew with them for like 90 percent of the time. So we got friendly and he knew everyone by then. Then on the court, you put a lot of time into the game. Before and after a workout, I might have two hours of treatment time. You think you’re going to go shoot for an hour. It is a block of five or six hours just for one workout. You have get your body right, mobility, all that stuff. Everyone gets to see all of the full routines and how much they do to get ready. Everyone knows LeBron comes in five hours early. But that is what he needs to get ready. It’s cool to see people get ready.
How is your story different from the other four stories portrayed in Starting 5?
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sabonis: You get to see every player’s perspective and it’s really cool how you see the difference between all five players. When you think about it, you go through all the steps with each story. Like, what Anthony Edwards is doing and having fun: That was me before I met my wife. Spending time with my friends and playing video games, then as you get older in the NBA, you see LeBron’s story. He is focusing on different things and what is important to him. I feel like we are all going through such different stages. There are a lot of funny guys out there. There are a lot of personalities. We obviously know the personalities, but this is behind-the-scenes with the loved ones. Everyone opens up when they are in their own space. If you have your boys behind you or your family by you, you are going to act your true self. The cameras get that.
How was it to have DeMar DeRozan at the premiere and how will he help your team?
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sabonis: It was awesome. He hit me up before and he was like: Let’s get some workouts in. Can I come to the premiere and support you? I was like for sure. That’s sick to have him locked in like that already. It already shows how much he cares. He is coming here to take us to the next level. He has a veteran presence. He knows what it takes to win and go far. Our issue was basically us being mentally locked in for a game. We beat all the best teams and lost to the lower seeded teams, which put us in a tough position. He has been around. He is so smart and has a high IQ in basketball. I’ve learned a lot through him just by working out with him a couple weeks in L.A., so he’s going to have that same effect on everyone. We’re all going to grow just by having him around us.
What impact will DeRozan have on the floor spacing in Sacramento?
Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Sabonis: I think it’s going to be great. Teams have their best defender. Who are they going to choose: Fox or DeMar? The other one is going to go off then and he is going to help everyone else get open. Me and Fox work great. We have it great. We are not selfish. You rock. I rock. Whatever you want. We just want to win at the end of the day. Speaking to DeMar, he is just like that. He just wants to win. He is manipulating the game to get the easiest buckets, whatever he can do to help the team. I’m very excited. We worked out a couple weeks and it’s a lot of fun.
Should the NBA consider Team USA vs. Team World in the All-Star Game?
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sabonis: That would be awesome. That would be very cool. I don’t know if we’re still going to play hard or if it will just be the same thing if it were USA versus the World. I can’t control that. I don’t know how to play in an All-Star Game. To me, those games are tough because I just play hard. I don’t know how to be just chilling out there. The fans want to see that. If that happens and it is a real game, that would be cool.
What is future of basketball in Lithuania?
(Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Sabonis: I think it is big. We have a lot of good, young prospects. Matas Buzelis is a good rookie for the Bulls. We have a lot of good, young guys in college. Guys are on the top teams in Lithuania and that are most likely going to com9e over to college and do that experience. I feel like everyone is doing that because of NIL. I’m happy they’re going to come out. I personally took the route of going to college basketball. It’s definitely the best decision and now you can get paid to do it. So I think it’s a no-brainer.
Why did you play college basketball?
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Sabonis: I loved the idea of playing college basketball in a full arena and the live environment. But what really sold me is that in Europe, it is really hard to get gym access 24/7. I’m a worker. I like to go in and shoot any time of the night and any time of the day. Being on a college campus, you have access to the main courts around campus with rebounders available. I feel like that is what made me take the next step and get drafted and put me to where I am today. I would tell a European prospect you can always come back to your home team. Whatever you do in college, if you don’t get drafted in the NBA, the same team that wanted you will still want you in Europe. You aren’t losing anything. If anything, you’re getting a degree and learning a new language and you’re getting exposure. There are so many options for you to head over instead of just staying home.
What are your thoughts on Gonzaga in the Pac-12?
Sabonis: I’ve been hearing all of this. I think it’s insane! I grew up when it was Pac-12, WCC. Now, it’s like Big 12 and Big Ten and they’re all mixed together. It’s crazy to me. It’s definitely going to be tougher for Gonzaga. Everyone gets used to what’s comfortable with what they have. It’s definitely going to be more challenging, especially the first years. It’s going to be definitely fun to watch. I was happy, though. The thing with the WCC: You had amazing cities to go visit. So that was a plus side. Now, it’s a bit different.
Is there much of a Gonzaga brotherhood in the NBA?
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sabonis: Yeah. I’m closer to the guys closer to my age like Kelly Olynyk and Rui Hachimura and Zach Collins. But as the years go on, it’s cool seeing how many more Zags are in the NBA. When I came in the league, it was just me and Kelly. You see all these other conferences, they are all dapping each other up because there are three guys on every team. Gonzaga has finally made its way toward that. I think that just how far the program has gone.
