California: Christmas was a blockbuster day for sports fans and broadcasters, with Netflix and the NBA achieving record-breaking viewership. Reportedly, Netflix made history with its exclusive streaming of two NFL games, drawing nearly 65 million viewers in the U.S. The Baltimore Ravens' victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million viewers, while the Kansas City Chiefs' win against the Pittsburgh Steelers brought in an average of 24.1 million viewers. The audience for the Ravens-Texans game peaked at over 27 million during Beyoncé’s electrifying halftime performance.
“This record-breaking day of NFL games was the perfect Christmas gift for our members,” Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, said. She also credited the NFL partnership, the on-air talent, and unforgettable performances by Beyoncé and Mariah Carey for the success.
The Christmas games marked the debut of a three-year agreement between Netflix and the NFL, granting the streaming platform exclusive rights to broadcast holiday matchups.
NBA Witness Average 5.25 Million Viewers Per Game Across 5 Matches
Meanwhile, the NBA also celebrated a triumphant Christmas. Averaging 5.25 million viewers per game across five matchups, it marked the league’s most-watched Christmas Day in five years. The Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Golden State Warriors drew 7.76 million viewers on average. It peaked at 8.32 million, making it the most-watched regular-season and Christmas game in five years.
The New York Knicks' win over the San Antonio Spurs was another highlight, attracting 4.91 million viewers, the highest for a Christmas Day opener in 13 years. Overall, NBA viewership surged 84 per cent compared to Christmas 2023, with games broadcast across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+.
These record-breaking ratings were a major boost for both leagues, showcasing the enduring appeal of holiday sports and providing some much-needed good news for the NBA, which has faced declining viewership this year.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
