Christmas Day has long been associated with marquee NBA matchups. This year, however, the NFL stole the show. Despite the NBA assembling an all-star lineup of games and players, the NFL leveraged strategic programming and entertainment to dominate viewership on Christmas.
NBA Turned To LeBron, Curry, FIBA While NFL Turned To Beyoncé To Dominate Christmas
NBA’s Star-Studded Lineup
The NBA showcased five blockbuster games on Christmas Day, headlined by iconic matchups and historic rivalries. The league strategically highlighted star players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, and Kevin Durant.
The day began with Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, giving fans a glimpse of the future at the NBA’s most famous venue. A rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals followed, with Luka Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks battling Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves.
The slate also featured a classic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron and Curry renewing their on-court rivalry, and Durant squaring off against Jokić in a thrilling Phoenix Suns – Denver Nuggets contest.
FIBA’s Influence on NBA Gameplay
To keep games fast-paced and entertaining, the NBA borrowed from FIBA’s playbook. Officials focused on reducing free throws, leading to a quicker tempo. During Christmas games, teams averaged 17 free throws compared to the season average of 22.
NFL’s Christmas Coup
The NFL, however, proved unstoppable. It aired just two games but still dominated the day. The Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans 31-2, while Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both games streamed on Netflix, drawing nearly 65 million viewers combined. The Ravens-Texans game peaked with Beyoncé’s halftime performance, which averaged 27 million viewers. The NFL’s partnership with Netflix ensured its holiday programming reached a massive audience.
Beyoncé’s Halftime Performance
The NFL pulled out all the stops, securing Beyoncé for a 15-minute halftime show in Texas. The global superstar’s performance, featuring her daughter Blue Ivy Carter as a backup dancer, captivated viewers.
The NFL’s ability to mix sports with world-class entertainment cemented its dominance. Beyoncé’s performance alone drew more viewers than most NBA games that day.
Viewership Results
The NFL’s Christmas games were the second and third-most popular live titles in Netflix history. The NBA, meanwhile, averaged 5.2 million viewers per game across its slate. On the other hand, the NBA announced that this was its most watched Christmas since 2019.
While the NBA celebrated year-over-year viewership increases, the NFL showed it could reach new heights with fewer games and broader appeal.
The NFL Will Continue to Compete with the NBA for Christmas Dominance
The NFL’s success guarantees its continued presence on Christmas Day. With at least two games scheduled for 2025, the NBA faces a challenging battle for holiday supremacy.
Despite the NFL’s dominance, the NBA still had wins. LeBron and Curry’s showdown was a ratings triumph, and the league saw growth across all games. The Lakers-Warriors game drew 7.76 million viewers, peaking at 8.32 million. It became the most-watched NBA regular-season game in five years, showcasing the league’s ability to entertain with thrilling finishes.
However, it’s clear that the mix of football, star power, and entertainment is the new holiday standard. Both leagues will continue to innovate, but for now, the NFL reigns supreme.
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