NFL doubleheader on Christmas Day units streaming viewership information

LeBron James goes to must make room for the NFL.

Wednesday’s doubleheader on Netflix set information because the most-streamed NFL video games in U.S. historical past, with numbers practically 5 instances greater than the NBA.

The Baltimore Ravens’ 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million whereas Kansas Metropolis’s 29-10 win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 in line with early viewer figures launched by Nielsen on Thursday.

Nielsen additionally mentioned there have been 65 million U.S. viewers who tuned in for not less than one minute of one of many two video games.

The NBA’s five-game slate averaged about 5.25 million viewers per sport throughout ABC, ESPN and its platforms, in line with the league and Nielsen.

“I like the NFL,” James mentioned in his televised postgame interview Wednesday night time. “However Christmas is our day.”

Whereas the NBA’s Christmas lineup had its greatest viewer numbers in 5 years, the NFL has made Christmas certainly one of its tentpole occasions throughout the common season, becoming a member of Kickoff Weekend and Thanksgiving.

“The numbers converse for themselves and LeBron can have his personal view, and I am certain extra folks will have a look at that due to this,” mentioned Hans Schroeder, the chief vp of NFL Media. “However, you realize, we’re centered on the NFL and we’re thrilled with the outcomes this 12 months with the Christmas on Netflix and we’re excited to proceed to construct that over the following couple of years.”

Each NFL video games surpassed the earlier mark of 23 million for final season’s AFC wild-card sport between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs on Peacock.

Viewership for Ravens-Texans peaked with the Beyoncé Bowl. The 20-minute halftime efficiency averaged over 27 million viewers.

The viewer figures embrace the viewers on Netflix, cellular viewership on NFL+ and those that tuned in on CBS stations in Pittsburgh, Kansas Metropolis, Baltimore and Houston.

World rankings and closing U.S. numbers are anticipated to be obtainable on Tuesday.

The NFL’s Christmas numbers decreased from final season, however not on the price that normally occurs when one thing goes from broadcast to streaming.

Final 12 months’s three video games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way in which, averaging 29.48 million on CBS.

As soon as world and Netflix’s first-party information is launched, each Christmas video games ought to surpass 30 million.

The NBA’s lineup noticed an 84% rise over 2023. One purpose for the rise is that each one 5 video games have been on ABC, in comparison with two final 12 months.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors — a sport pitting Olympic teammates LeBron James and Stephen Curry — averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked with about 8.32 million viewers towards the tip of the competition, the league mentioned.

These numbers signify the most-watched NBA common season sport in 5 years.