Friday’s Week 1 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers from Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil served as a test trial for YouTube as the streaming platform ventures into live sports. And while there were areas that most viewers believe can be improved, there were also elements that plenty thoroughly enjoyed.
YouTube’s pregame coverage would include both an on-field team made up of Cam Newton and Kay Adams, along with a studio team made up of former NFL players Derek Carr, Tyrann Mathieu, and Brandon Marshall, along with Underdog Fantasy influencer Pete Overzet.
LA studio squad ready for kickoff pic.twitter.com/AjNKVP8JM9
— YouTube (@YouTube) September 5, 2025
The crowd in São Paulo loves Cam Newton 😂 @YouTube @CameronNewton
KCvsLAC on YouTube https://t.co/JVXS9sMZhB pic.twitter.com/42RRm0NQ46
— NFL (@NFL) September 5, 2025
Both the on-field and studio pregame coverage were seemingly catered to a new-school audience, as there were several appearances from popular influencers like Mr. Beast and Deestroying throughout.
But there were also several elements of hard-hitting analysis for football purists, particularly from the former players. Derek Carr was perhaps the star of the pregame show, receiving rave reviews for an in-depth look into some of the excellent qualities of Justin Herbert, while also throwing in an incredibly funny impression of his former coach Jon Gruden.
Here’s Derek Carr breaking down film — and mixing in a Jon Gruden impression — on the Chiefs-Chargers pregame show for YouTube. 🏈🎙️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/4LCbw8JjDC
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 5, 2025
As far as the actual broadcast quality itself, most were largely complimentary of how the game looked once it got started.
“I get the streaming aspect pisses people off,” wrote Patriots senior reporter Evan Lazar. “But the picture quality and graphics are super clean on YouTube/Amazon broadcasts.
I get the streaming aspect pisses people off, but the picture quality and graphics are super clean on YouTube/Amazon broadcasts.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 6, 2025
“Not gonna lie but this YouTube broadcast is pretty damn crisp,” wrote Broncos beat reporter Cody Roark.
Not gonna lie but this YouTube broadcast is pretty damn crisp
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) September 6, 2025
However, there were plenty who weren’t the biggest fan of the catering to the younger audience with influencers throughout the broadcast.
“YouTube’s blatant pandering to a younger audience w/ this NFL broadcast makes me sad,” wrote Brandon Wenerd of BroBible. “Trying too hard to appeal to kids that should be rowdy at high school football games or 20-somethings that should be in bars trying to suck face, not sitting at home on YouTube on Friday night.”
YouTube’s blatant pandering to a younger audience w/ this NFL broadcast makes me sad. Trying too hard to appeal to kids that should be rowdy at high school football games or 20-somethings that should be in bars trying to suck face, not sitting at home on YouTube on Friday night.
— brandon wenerd (@brandonwenerd) September 6, 2025
“I understand this broadcast is by YouTube, but the fact that 7-year-olds like Mr. Beast & Speed’s content doesn’t mean they’ll add any interest/value to an NFL broadcast,” wrote Carson Bieber of The Volume. “These are not sports people and they make content for little kids. Super weird. Freaky for real sports fans.”
I understand this broadcast is by YouTube, but the fact that 7-year-olds like Mr. Beast & Speed’s content doesn’t mean they’ll add any interest/value to an NFL broadcast.
These are not sports people and they make content for little kids. Super weird. Freaky for real sports fans.
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) September 5, 2025
Additionally, there were some issues with the broadcast itself that drew complaints. Notably, those who have YouTube TV were able to have access to rewind/fast fast-forward options. But for those who do not have a service, there was no option to pause, rewind, or fast-forward the stream.
For those of you who have YouTube TV, you can stream the game through that and have access to rewind/fast fast-forward options. https://t.co/nrnyUTlKVD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2025
Ultimately, as YouTube gets more familiar with live sports coverage, some of the complaints against the current product will likely be resolved in some form or fashion.
But given the fact that this serves as the debut broadcast on the streaming service, the core foundations of the broadcast largely had no issues, which has to be seen as an overwhelming positive given some of the problems other platforms have had in live sports coverage in the past.