Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
A detailed view of a Netflix Christmas Game Day sign during the regular season NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 25, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Sports Icon | Sports Icon | fake images
Christmas came just in time netflixas the streamer set records for most-streamed NFL games in the U.S., according to Nielsen.
Nearly 65 million people across the United States tuned in to the two NFL matchups on Christmas Day, to which Netflix had exclusive streaming rights. The Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million viewers, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ win against the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 24.1 million, according to Nielsen.
American viewership for the Ravens-Texans game peaked during Beyoncé’s halftime show, with more than 27 million viewers tuning in to watch the star-studded performance.
“Bringing our members this record-breaking two-game NFL day was the best Christmas gift we could have given,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a press release. “We are grateful for our partnership with the NFL, for all of our wonderful on-air talent, and let’s not forget the electrifying Beyoncé and the brilliant Mariah Carey.”
Wednesday’s games were the first in a three-year agreement between the NFL and Netflix to show Christmas matchups exclusively on the streaming giant.
The NFL wasn’t the only sports league to feel the Christmas cheer. The NBA, which typically dominates the Christmas sports calendar, set a record for the most-watched Christmas Day in five years, averaging 5.25 million viewers per game in the United States across five games throughout the day, according to Nielsen.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Golden State Warriors was the most-watched NBA regular-season and Christmas Day game in five years, with an average of 7.76 million viewers and a peak of 8.32 million. of spectators. The first game of the day, the New York Knicks’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs, averaged 4.91 million viewers, making it the most-watched Christmas Day opener in 13 years.
In total, viewership increased by 84% across the five matches compared to Christmas 2023. The matches were broadcast on disney cable and streaming platforms ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+.
The good ratings were a welcome sign for the NBA, which is struggling with a lower audience this year.
