According to Nielsen, Netflix’s Christmas came right on time when it broke records in streaming NFL games for the U.S.
Netflix was the exclusive broadcaster of NFL games on Christmas Day. Netflix reported 65 million Americans watching the two games. According to Nielsen, “The Baltimore Ravens’ victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million viewers, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ win against the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 24.1 million.”
Beyonce’s halftime show was the highlight of Ravens versus Texans in the United States. The show was watched by more than 27 million viewers.
Netflix’s Chief Content Office Bela Bajaria said in a press release that the two NFL games they brought to members on a record-breaking day for Christmas was the best present. Our partnership with the NFL and our on-air talents, including the electrifying Beyonce as well as Mariah Carey, are all reasons we appreciate.
The NFL has signed a 3-year agreement with Netflix to show all Christmas matches exclusively on Netflix.
It wasn’t just the NFL that felt the Christmas spirit. According to Nielsen, the NBA, the usual Christmas sports leader, broke the record for the most watched Christmas Day ever in five years, with an estimated 5.25 million Americans watching five games.
The NFL wasn’t the only sports league to feel the Christmas cheer. The NBA — which typically dominates the Christmas sports schedule — set a record for its most-watched Christmas Day in five years, averaging 5.25 million viewers per game in the U.S. across five games throughout the day, according to Nielsen.
Overall the viewership of all five games was 84% more than Christmas 2023. These games were broadcast by Disney’s cable and streaming platforms ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+.
The NBA is pleased with its strong ratings as it has struggled to attract viewers in recent years.
