Beyoncé Bowl indeed!
According to Deadline, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer’s show-stopping NFL Christmas Gameday halftime performance drew more viewers on Netflix than the two games the streamer aired on Wednesday, December 25.
Viewership for Netflix’s coverage of Wednesday’s Christmas Day football peaked with 27 million viewers for Beyoncé’s set, per the outlet, citing live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, which tracks U.S. television viewership. The performance featured guests including Post Malone, Shaboozey and Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter, Blue Ivy, 12.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game, which opened the day, drew 24.1 million viewers. The second game, the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Houston Texans, had 24.3 million viewers. (The Chiefs beat the Steelers 29-10, while the Ravens beat the Texans 31-2.)
Post Malone and More Stars Share Their Love for Beyonce’s ‘Cowboy Carter’
During Wednesday’s Chiefs vs. Steelers game, man of the moment Travis Kelce, 35, scored his third touchdown of the NFL season, overtaking Tony Gonzalez’s overall record for the most receiving touchdowns in KC history.
“It’s everything to me. Tony’s been a mentor to me, he’s been there right there for me [with] any questions I’ve ever had,” Kelce said in a postgame interview. “I feel like I’m still trying to fill that guy’s shoes. He’s such an unbelievable competitor and I’ve got so much love for him. It’s an honor to be in conversations with him.”
Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, showed her love for the tight end by dropping a “like” on a Chiefs Instagram post celebrating Kelce’s achievement.
For many, however, the highlight of the day was Beyoncé’s first live performance of music from her country album, Cowboy Carter, released in March.
Beyonce Performs ‘Cowboy Carter’ Songs at NFL Halftime With Blue Ivy, More
Beyoncé arrived on the stage via horseback, galloping past a garage of vintage cars while wearing a white oversized fur coat with a coordinating cowboy hat and a diamond choker necklace. After renditions of “16 Carriages” and “Black Bird,” the singing icon strutted onto the field for a showstopping performance of “Ya Ya,” changing into a sequined bodysuit. Beyoncé also sang “RIIVERDANCE” with Shaboozey, “LEVII’S Jeans” with Post Malone (sitting in a denim-covered truck), “Jolene” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” featuring 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy joining the backing dancers.
“It’s only right that we do ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ for the first time in Houston, Texas on Christmas,” Beyoncé quipped in her introduction before concluding, “Merry Christmas, God bless y’all.”
While singing “Black Bird,” Beyoncé was joined by Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, all of whom were featured on the LP.
