## A Holiday Showdown: NFL and NBA Battle for Christmas Viewership
The holiday season is a prime time for sports, and this year, both the NFL and NBA made a strong showing on christmas Day. While LeBron James playfully declared Christmas as “our day,” the NFL’s remarkable viewership numbers suggest there’s room for both leagues to thrive during the festive period.
The NFL, in its first season partnering wiht Netflix, shattered records with its Christmas Day games becoming the most-watched in U.S. history.[[1]] A staggering 65 million viewers tuned in for at least a minute of the two games, with the Ravens’ dominant victory over the Texans averaging 24.3 million viewers and the Chiefs-steelers matchup drawing 24.1 million. [[2]]
This success was further amplified by the “Beyoncé Bowl,” a nearly 13-minute halftime performance by beyoncé that captivated over 27 million viewers.The NFL’s foray into streaming with Netflix proved largely successful, with minimal complaints and global viewership expected to exceed 30 million for both games.
Meanwhile, the NBA also enjoyed a successful Christmas Day, with its five-game lineup averaging 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, and their respective platforms. [[3]] This marked an 84% increase from the previous year, partly due to all games being broadcast on ABC, compared to just two in 2023.
The Lakers-Warriors matchup, featuring NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry, was a particular highlight, drawing an average of 7.76 million viewers and peaking at 8.32 million. This made it the most-watched regular season game in five years for the NBA.
Despite concerns about declining viewership, the NBA’s strong Christmas Day performance, coupled with a 4% increase in season viewership on ESPN platforms and over 500 million video views across social media, paints a positive picture for the league.
The growing popularity of streaming is reshaping the sports landscape, and both the NFL and NBA are adapting. The NFL’s partnership with Netflix demonstrates the potential of streaming platforms to reach wider audiences,while the NBA’s new television contract,which includes increased streaming availability,reflects the league’s commitment to meeting viewers where they are.
As both leagues continue to innovate and evolve, the competition for Christmas Day viewers is likely to intensify, offering fans an exciting array of sporting entertainment during the holiday season.
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