Christmas Day has long been synonymous with sports, and this year, the rivalry for viewership between the NFL and the NBA reached new heights as LeBron James boldly declared, "Christmas is our day!" This proclamation came after his Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Golden State Warriors by just two points, contributing to five nail-biting NBA contests staged against the backdrop of two NFL games broadcasted on Netflix.
For many years, the NBA has had exclusive rights to capture the prime-time audience on December 25, showcasing marquee players and competitive matchups. This year, with the NFL entering the fray—armed with the streaming power of Netflix—the stakes were raised considerably. The football league had two games set on the day: the Kansas City Chiefs decimated the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 19-0, and the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Houston Texans, scoring 31 to 2.
LeBron's statement reverberated through social media channels post-game, emphasizing the thrill of NBA matchups compared to the more lopsided outcomes on the football field. Kendrick Perkins, LeBron's former teammate and NBA Champion, echoed this sentiment, insisting through his social media accounts, "No sir. Not today. NBA games been way higher than the NFL games." The communal spirit and the nail-biting drama of the NBA games provided high entertainment value, demonstrating to fans just why basketball often claims Christmas as its own.
Early reports about the NFL's Christmas Day viewership, released by Netflix, revealed impressive figures. Nearly 65 million viewers tuned in across the United States for the NFL matches, with the Ravens vs. Texans game attracting average viewership of 24.3 million, easily making it one of the most successful streaming events for Netflix. NFL executive vice president of media distribution, Hans Schroeder, celebrated this achievement, stating, "We’re thrilled with our first Christmas Gameday on Netflix. Fans all across the globe tuned in, enjoying performances from some of the league’s brightest stars along with Beyoncé during halftime." The football games now hold the title of most-streamed NFL games in history, indicating the significant reach and appeal of the league.
Despite this success, the NFL still lagged behind the previous year’s record, garnering around five million fewer viewers than last Christmas when broadcasting on major networks such as CBS and ESPN/ABC. Nevertheless, it was noticeable how significant streaming became as more fans move toward digital platforms for viewership.
The NBA also released its impressive viewer statistics, claiming the holiday as its best viewership day on Christmas Day over the last five years. The league averaged 5.25 million viewers per game, which was not just substantial but also marked an 84% increase from the previous year, clearly showcasing the appeal of basketball. The New York Knicks’ thrilling victory against the San Antonio Spurs averaged 4.91 million viewers, whereas the highly anticipated Lakers-Warriors game topped the NBA's Christmas numbers, achieving an average of 7.76 million, peaking at 8.32 million at 10:30 p.m. ET.
LeBron’s fiery enthusiasm following the Lakers' victory symbolized the NBA’s competitive spirit as he reaffirmed his love for the NFL but claimed basketball's dominance on Christmas. This celebration of the entertainment factor was echoed across social media, where fans were quick to point out the dramatic nature of the five NBA games versus the relatively uninspiring outcomes from the NFL.
Commentators have pointed out how the battle for Christmas viewership is more than just numbers; it's also about the emotional engagement and the narratives presented by both leagues. NBA matchups typically feature close finishes and iconic player rivalries—qualities conducive to dramatic storytelling. This perhaps explains why LeBron James' inflammatory comments were seen across various platforms, stirring discussions among fans.
Ratings also tell more complex stories than challenges between the leagues. The rising viewership for NBA games indicates the league’s integrated marketing efforts and star power, showcasing icons like LeBron and Steph Curry, who can draw massive audiences. Offsetting this, the NFL's monumental viewership for its inaugural Netflix broadcasts signifies potential new avenues for reaching fans internationally.
The Christmas Day sports ratings battle perfectly encapsulates what it means to compete for fans' attention during one of the most festive times of the year. Both leagues excelled by offering unique experiences to their viewership—whether through compelling gameplay and star power or integrating captivating performances like Beyoncé's halftime show.
Sports fans are left to wonder how this competition will evolve next year, especially as both leagues continue to innovate and vie for dominance over the Christmas holiday. Whether they come out swinging again next December or return to traditional formats is anyone's guess, but one thing is for sure: Christmas will always be special for sports.
