Netflix’s Live Sports Efforts Got To Very Modest Start With The Netflix Cup, Viewership Data Shows

Nellie Andreeva

May 23, 2024 at 4:49 p.m.·2 min read

Netflix, which for years had claimed that live sports did not factor into its business model, is now a major player in the field, recently snapping up Christmas NFL games. But before committing to established, conventional sports franchises like NFL football games and WWE Raw, the streamer tested the waters with stunt-y, made-for-TV sport events, starting with The Netflix Cup on Nov. 14, 2023.

According to Netflix’s second expansive viewership report released today, The Netflix Cup, a golf match featuring drivers and golfers from its docu series Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Full Swing, logged paltry 700,000 views in the second half of 2023.

More from Deadline

Compare that to Netflix’s foray into live comedy, which was off to a hot start with the Match 2023 Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage special. It logged 36.2M hours in the first half of 2023, which translates to 30.9M views. (In its first viewership report, released in December, Netflix did not provide views, only hours watched.)

What’s more, Selective Outrage added another 1.5M views during the second half of 2023, underscoring live entertainment’s longer shelf life compared to live sports.

The Netflix Cup was followed by The Netflix Slam, an exhibition match between tennis stars Rafael Nadal taking on Carlos Alcaraz, in March 2024. Like The Netflix Cup, it did not crack into the streamer’s Top 10; we will have to wait for the next data dump to see whether it improved on The Netflix Cup‘s performance.

The streamer likely has high hopes for its next live sports event, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. Like The Netflix Slam, it pits against each other stars from different generations, though the contact nature of boxing has raised concerns about that match-up.

Best of Deadline

Associated Press
Eriksen scores for Denmark at Euro 2024, three years after his collapse on the field
Christian Eriksen has scored for Denmark in his first European Championship match since suffering a cardiac arrest at the previous edition of the tournament in 2021. Eriksen neatly slotted a finish into the corner in the 17th minute of Denmark's Group C opener against Slovenia on Sunday.
KGTV - San Diego Scripps
Ciara's forecast: Perfect weather to celebrate Father's Day at the beach
Ciara's forecast: Perfect weather to celebrate Father's Day at the beach
Insider Monkey
Best Aquatic Perfume That Smells Better Than Vacations
In this article, we will talk about the Best Aquatic Perfume That Smells Better Than Vacations. For our detailed discussion, go directly to the 20 Best Aquatic Perfumes That Smells Better Than Vacations. Charlotte Tilbury Enters The Perfume Industry with Cutting-Edge Neuroscents Collection: As we have mentioned in our article, “11 Best Travel-Size Fragrances For […]
The Canadian Press
Ukraine opens its Euro 2024 campaign against Romania amid backdrop of war back home
MUNICH (AP) — Ukraine, which is competing against the backdrop of the war at home against Russia, opens its European Championship campaign with a match against Romania in Munich on Monday. The other teams in Group E are Belgium and Slovakia. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT). Here’s what to know about the match:
USA TODAY Sports - Golfweek
Bryson DeChambeau explains the salty golf balls he’s using at 2024 U.S. Open
"Thanks for the salty balls question. I appreciate that."
The Independent
Serbia and England fans throw tables and chairs in violent mass brawl ahead of Euro 2024 opener
Two hundred German riot police rushed to scene to break up the clashes
PA Media: UK News
Election campaign day 25: Labour warn against complacency as tax clash continues
Wes Streeting urged voters not to ‘give the matches back to the arsonist to finish the job’.
The Telegraph
US munitions finally start arriving on Ukraine front line
A new batch of American weapons have reached Ukraine’s front line, but it won’t be enough to immediately push the Russians back, according to a Ukrainian commander.
The Independent
American found dead on Greek island as search continues for three other missing tourists
An American tourist was found dead on the small Greek island of Mathraki on Sunday. It’s just the latest case of several tourists who have died or gone missing in Greece this summer. Another tourist found the American man close to the old port of Mathraki, which is near Corfu, according to AFP who pointed to local media reports.
PA Media: UK News
Keir Starmer urges England to make it a ‘summer to remember’ at Euro 2024
The Three Lions face Serbia in their opening game at the tournament held in Germany.
The Canadian Press
Sending Canadian vessel to Cuba alongside Russia's was carefully planned: Minister
OTTAWA — National Defence Minister Bill Blair's office says sending a Canadian ship to Cuba, where it docked alongside some of Russia's fleet, was a "carefully" planned move to increase its presence in the region.
People
James Kent, N.Y.C. Chef of Saga and Crown Shy, Dead at 45: 'Heartbroken'
The top chef died on Saturday, June 15, PEOPLE can confirm
The Telegraph
When do England play at the Euros? 2024 fixtures, group, full schedule, kit and latest odds
Follow the latest updates from the build-up to the Serbia match in our live blog of the fighting in Germany.
ITN
Aitch heading straight to watch England after Capital Summertime Ball!
The Mancunian rapper has his priorities straight ahead of England's opener.
The Independent
Inside Greece’s tourist tragedies as Michael Mosley and four others die over 11 days in 40C heatwave
Tourists have vanished on the Greek islands of Samos, Symi, Crete, Amorgos and Corfu
The Independent
Slovenia vs Denmark LIVE: Euro 2024 latest updates as Christian Eriksen scores emotional opening goal
England’s Group C rivals battle it out in Stuttgart
PA Media: UK News
Rosie Duffield ‘frit or lazy’ criticism extremely unfair, says Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting has criticised Lord Cashman, who made the comment about Labour candidate Rosie Duffield after she cancelled a local hustings.
The State
One person killed in crash involving scooter and SUV in Columbia, SC cops say
The victim was taken to an area hospital and later died, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Telegraph
England vs Serbia today: kick-off time and TV channel for Euro 2024 group-stage game
England begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia, with matches against Denmark and Slovenia to follow in Group C.
WMUR - Manchester
House Speaker honors retiring rep Steve Shurtleff | CloseUp
House Speaker honors retiring rep Steve Shurtleff | CloseUp

Latest Stories