Netflix made history on Christmas Day, setting a new record for the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, according to Nielsen. Nearly 65 million viewers tuned in to watch two highly anticipated matchups streamed exclusively on the platform.
The Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans drew an average of 24.3 million viewers, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers attracted 24.1 million viewers. The Ravens-Texans game peaked during Beyoncé’s halftime performance, which brought in over 27 million viewers.
“Bringing our members this record-breaking day of two NFL games was the best Christmas gift we could have delivered,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. She credited the partnership with the NFL, the “wonderful on-air talent,” and the iconic performances by Beyoncé and Mariah Carey for the milestone.
These games marked the beginning of a three-year partnership between Netflix and the NFL to exclusively stream Christmas Day matchups.
The NFL wasn’t the only sports league celebrating on Christmas. The NBA also achieved notable viewership records. Its five-game Christmas Day lineup averaged 5.25 million viewers per game, the highest in five years, according to Nielsen.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Golden State Warriors drew 7.76 million viewers, peaking at 8.32 million, making it the most-watched NBA regular-season game in five years. The New York Knicks’ win against the San Antonio Spurs, which opened the day, averaged 4.91 million viewers, marking the most-watched Christmas Day opener in 13 years.
Overall, NBA viewership on Christmas was up 84% compared to 2023, with games broadcast across Disney’s platforms, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+.