NFL Christmas Day Games on Netflix Break Streaming Records

story

Dec 27, 2024

Above: Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks with a Netflix reporter after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Image copyright: Joe Sargent/Stringer/Getty Images Sport via Getty Imagesstory last updated Dec 28, 2024

The Facts

Netflix's NFL Christmas doubleheader drew nearly 65M total US viewers, with Ravens-Texans averaging 24.3M and Chiefs-Steelers averaging 24.1M viewers.
Viewership peaked at 27M during Beyoncé's halftime performance at the Ravens-Texans game, making these the most-streamed NFL games in US history.
The NBA's five-game Christmas slate averaged 5.25M viewers per game on ABC and ESPN, marking an 84% increase from 2023, with Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors drawing 7.76M viewers as the most-watched NBA regular season game since 2019.

The Spin

Narrative A

Despite the NBA being a reliable Christmas Day fixture in American households, the NFL successfully established Christmas as a new tentpole event alongside Thanksgiving and Kickoff Weekend. The streaming numbers highlight the league's ability to draw massive audiences on any platform.

Indianapolis Recorder

RantSports

Narrative B

Basketball remains the traditional Christmas Day sport, with the NBA achieving its best holiday viewership in five years despite direct competition from football and the competing Netflix broadcasts. This proves that there's room for both leagues to thrive.

Forbes