Mariah Carey beats out Beyoncé as the big star of Netflix's Christmas Party

The NFL is breaking tradition this Christmas, rolling out bold changes that have fans talking. With a landmark partnership with Netflix to stream games and an extended halftime performance by Beyonc?, the league is taking a high-stakes gamble.

Whether these moves cement the NFL as a holiday spectacle or create chaos remains to be seen.

In a rare move for a regular-season game, Beyonc? will headline a 20-minute halftime performance during the Texans-Ravens game at 3:30 p.m. ET. Known for her iconic Super Bowl appearances, Queen Bey's show will feature her classic hits and songs from her new project, Cowboy Carter.

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This extended performance breaks the NFL's usual halftime format of 12-15 minutes for regular games.

Even the Super Bowl rarely allows more than 25 minutes, making this decision a bold exception. Fans are divided-some see it as a brilliant way to enhance the holiday spirit, while others worry about its impact on players' halftime routines and game flow.

Earlier in the day, Mariah Carey will bring her signature Christmas magic to Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs-Steelers game at 1 p.m. ET will open with Carey's performance of "All I Want for Christmas Is You," adding festive cheer to the day's football lineup.

Netflix steps into live sports

The real experiment, however, lies with Netflix. The streaming platform will broadcast its first NFL games this Christmas, starting with Chiefs-Steelers and followed by Texans-Ravens. After a rocky live event debut with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, Netflix is under pressure to prove it can handle the complexities of live sports.

The stakes are enormous. Streaming mishaps like buffering or interruptions during star-studded games could alienate NFL fans and jeopardize Netflix's ambitions in live sports. However, Hans Schroeder, the NFL's EVP of Media Distribution, reassures fans that CBS will produce the broadcasts, ensuring a high-quality experience.

To win over viewers, Netflix is introducing interactive features like real-time stats, 4K visuals, and exclusive commentary. While these upgrades aim to redefine the viewing experience, fans are clear: what matters most is a smooth, glitch-free stream.

This Christmas, the NFL and Netflix are rewriting the playbook. Beyonc?'s extended halftime show and Netflix's streaming debut present opportunities to captivate fans in new ways. But the risks are undeniable with technical failures or logistical missteps threatening to overshadow the innovation.

Christmas Day will determine whether these unprecedented moves are a touchdown for the NFL and Netflix-or a fumble they'll struggle to recover from.