Christmas Belongs to the NFL Now: Netflix Viewership Shatters Records, Leaving the NBA in the Dust

The NFL has successfully pulled off a holiday heist: It stole the spotlight on Christmas Day from the NBA. And at the heart of it was Netflix, broadcasting not one but two NFL regular-season games for the first time ever. Two games broke tradition, yielding massive viewership numbers for the streaming giant, as the NBA, once again a Christmas Day staple, struggled to keep up even with a strong lineup of marquee matchups.

A Game-Changing Move: Netflix and the NFL Team Up

Netflix's bold experiment with live sports paid off big time. On Wednesday, they streamed two NFL games—the Kansas City Chiefs' showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens' clash against the Houston Texans. These games not only smashed streaming records but also drew in unprecedented numbers.


According to Nielsen, the NFL's Christmas week games combined for a jaw-dropping 65 million viewers, obliterating the NBA's five-game lineup that pulled in just 5.25 million viewers.

NFL vs. NBA: The Numbers Don't Lie

NFL Ratings: Both NFL games averaged over 24 million viewers each, with early projections suggesting final numbers could climb past 30 million—a historic milestone for regular-season games.


NBA Struggles: While the NBA's Christmas games attracted its biggest audience in five years, peaking at 7.76 million viewers for the Lakers vs. Warriors, they were far from rivaling the NFL's stranglehold.

LeBron Talks, Numbers Don't Listen

Not even basketball royalty could take back the throne. Following his Los Angeles Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James voiced his thoughts:

"I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day."





Unfortunately for King James, the numbers tell a different story.

Why Is the NFL Winning the Viewership Battle?

Here are several factors that helped the NFL dominate Christmas Day:

• The Netflix Factor: Exclusive streaming rights brought new excitement and access to the games.
• Broad Appeal: The NFL has a broad demographic reach that makes it a holiday favorite.
• Cultural Momentum: The NFL still owns the American sports landscape, even on a day that is typically reserved for the NBA.

The NBA's Silver Lining

Though it was an easy day to lose in, the NBA did gain an 84% increase over 2023 in terms of viewership, and all five games were carried on ABC, rather than two. Social media usage also increased, with the league recording over 500 million video views, an all-time high.


Still, the NBA has much to do to regain Christmas Day supremacy, especially as the NFL proves it can succeed in new broadcast formats and non-traditional time slots.

Final Whistle

Netflix and the NFL made history this Christmas, leaving the NBA with some tough lessons. While the NFL's viewership dominance is undeniable, the NBA can find solace in its growing social media presence and improved ratings. For now, though, Christmas is no longer basketball’s day—it’s football’s field.


Also read - Beyoncé’s Instagram post after NFL Christmas Day show leaves fans guessing about the January 14th surprise