LeBron James and the NBA faced stiff competition from the NFL this Christmas, but both leagues emerged victorious in the holiday ratings battle. Netflix set records with the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, while the NBA scored its highest holiday viewership in five years, according to Nielsen.
NFL’s Holiday Success Breaks Records
Two NFL games on Christmas Day drew 65 million U.S. viewers who watched at least one minute of action. The Baltimore Ravens’ 31-2 win over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million viewers, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers closely followed with 24.1 million.
Viewership peaked during Beyoncé’s halftime performance at the Ravens-Texans game, attracting over 27 million viewers. With additional global and Netflix-specific data still pending, both games are expected to surpass 30 million viewers.
Netflix’s partnership with the NFL, now in its first year, also saw fewer streaming complaints, marking a major win for the platform. Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, celebrated the day, noting the electrifying performances by Beyoncé and Mariah Carey.
NBA’s Christmas Comeback
The NBA’s five-game Christmas lineup averaged 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC and ESPN, an 84% increase over last year. The marquee Lakers-Warriors showdown, featuring LeBron James and Stephen Curry, drew 7.76 million viewers, peaking at 8.32 million—the most-watched NBA regular-season game in five years.
This surge in viewership also boosted the NBA’s social media presence, with over 500 million video views recorded on Wednesday, a new league record. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver credited the rise to increased streaming options and upcoming broadcasting deals that will expand regular-season coverage.
Sports on Christmas: A Growing Tradition
The NFL has transformed Christmas into one of its marquee events, joining Thanksgiving and Kickoff Weekend in prominence. Next year’s holiday lineup will feature at least two games, with the potential for three. Meanwhile, the NBA continues to thrive with its longstanding Christmas Day showcase.
LeBron James, in his postgame interview, joked, “Christmas is our day.” But with both leagues drawing massive audiences, the numbers show there’s plenty of room for both sports to shine during the holiday season.
