'Netflix Cup' golf event sets up streamer's entry into live sports
Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images Entertainment
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) is joining streaming's live-sports club -- at least, with a tiptoe into launching its own events.
The streaming pioneer plans to stream "The Netflix Cup" live at 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 14: a match-play golf tournament pitting drivers from its Formula 1: Drive to Survive series against golfers from its show Full Swing.
The event is set for the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas, and planned to coincide with the week of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix (FWONA).
Four pairs (each consisting of a Formula One driver and a PGA Tour pro golfer) will play an eight-hole match, with two teams advancing to a final hole.
It's part of a trend of celebrity match golf events, and tapping its own stars gives Netflix (NFLX) a chance to dip into live sports without yet paying the massive rights fees commanded by top sports leagues.
âWe love to see how our sports series have brought increased fandom to sports leagues and competitions all over the world,â said Netflix's Gabe Spitzer. âThe Netflix Cup will take that energy to the next level with global stars from two popular hits competing in our first-ever live sports event.â
Netflix (NFLX) is set to report earnings after the closing bell Wednesday; consensus expectations are for earnings per share of $3.48 on revenues of $8.54B.

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