So Riegg and Bela Bajaria, another longtime TV executive who joined Netflix around the same time and is now its chief content officer, began making the case around Netflix for why it should invest in the tech required to make live content work.

Netflix will air two marquee NFL events on Christmas Day, a key test of its technological ability as it doubles down on live event programming.

Before Beyoncé takes the stage with a halftime performance at the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game on Christmas Day, the Grammy winner poked fun at the game's streamer Netflix.