Beyoncé NFL halftime present – LIVE: How to look at Christmas Day efficiency as anticipation builds
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NFL fans are in for a Christmas treat as Beyoncé is set to perform the halftime show for Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday broadcast.
This year, the streaming giant will host the two Christmas games between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. EST and the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. EST.
The 29-time Grammy-winning pop superstar, 43, will take the field at the NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston halfway through the second game.
She will, for the first time ever, perform live renditions of tracks off her latest album, Cowboy Carter. She’s expected to be joined by artists featured on the record, which could potentially include Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone.
Beyoncé is no stranger to the NFL stage. She headlined the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show and also made a guest appearance when Coldplay headlined in 2016.
Other Christmas Day performances include a pre-taped recording of Mariah Carey’s holiday chart-topper “All I Want for Christmas Is You” ahead of the first game, and the Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix singing the national anthem at the second.
Follow along below for live updates
When did Beyoncé last play a halftime show?
Beyoncé previously performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2013 before taking the stage again at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show in 2016.
At the first show, the musical icon wowed the audience as she performed her hits “Love on Top” and “Crazy in Love.”
Then, in 2016, Beyoncé made headlines after her performance included references to the Black Lives Matter movement, Malcolm X and the Black Panthers.
NFL executive ‘confident’ in Netflix livestream plan
NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution Hans Schroeder said he’s “confident” in Netflix’s preparation to stream Beyoncé’s show live.
“I think there were some bumps, certainly, with Netflix, but everything we’ve seen, we think their plan, the work we’re doing alongside them, we’re incredibly confident in,” Schroeder said, according to The New York Times.
This remark comes after Netflix’s high-profile live stream of the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson face-off was derailed by technical difficulties last month.
Beyoncé’s Christmas Eve message
Beyoncé shared a Christmas Eve message on X a day ahead of her much-anticipated halftime show on Christmas Day.
The Christmas shift
It’s not just us here at The Independent who are working this Christmas Day, with the Baltimore Ravens on the road for the second consecutive year. QB Lamar Jackson gave a diplomatic answer when asked if there was a ‘special meaning’ to being selected for the festive fixture in back-to-back years. “I mean, it is,” he told the Associated Press, trying to be diplomatic. “That means we’re good, but at the same time, I do want to celebrate at home sometimes with my family now. I don’t want to be playing on Christmas all the time — not all the time.” Lamar went on to say that he hopes he can catch a glimpse of Beyoncé’s set…
Beyoncé’s NFL history
Beyoncé is no stranger to half time shows, having performed during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 and again with Coldplay in 2016. Many critics believed she stole the limelight from Chris Martin’s band.
“Roasted by beyoncé 12.24.24”
Beyoncé poked fun at Netflix after the buffering issues during the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight. Here’s hoping for better luck this time…
How to watch
The centrepiece of Netflix’s Christmas programming this year – aside from the usual serving of festive movies – is two live NFL games, including a special half time performance from Beyoncé! The 29-time Grammy-winning pop superstar is expected to perform songs from her album Cowboy Carter at the NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Texans. Here’s how to watch…
