On Christmas Day 2024, sports fans were treated to a thrilling lineup of games that saw both the NBA and NFL achieve remarkable viewership numbers. The NBA reported its most-watched Christmas Day lineup in five years, with an average of 5.25 million viewers per game across five games broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+. This marked an 84% increase over last year's audience. The highlight was a showdown between LeBron James and Stephen Curry, where the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-113, drawing an average of 7.76 million viewers. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks' victory over the San Antonio Spurs became the most-watched Christmas Day opener in 13 years, with 4.91 million viewers.

However, the NBA faced stiff competition from the NFL, which made its debut on Netflix with two games. The Kansas City Chiefs' 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens' 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans were streamed to a massive audience. The NFL reported that 65 million U.S. viewers tuned in for at least one minute of the games, with the Ravens-Texans game peaking during Beyoncé's halftime show, which captivated social media.

Netflix's foray into live sports streaming was a significant success, with the NFL games becoming the most-streamed in U.S. history on the platform. The streaming giant's smooth broadcast, free from the buffering issues that plagued previous events, was a testament to its growing capabilities in live sports. Netflix reportedly paid $150 million for the rights to these games, marking a strategic move to expand its live sports offerings and attract a global audience.

LeBron James, who led the Lakers to a record 11th Christmas Day win, expressed confidence in the NBA's holiday tradition, stating, "I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day." Despite the NFL's strong performance, the NBA's Christmas Day games saw significant year-over-year viewership increases, particularly in games that did not directly compete with the NFL's schedule.

The NFL's partnership with Netflix is part of a broader strategy to leverage streaming platforms for live sports, a move that aligns with the shifting viewing habits of audiences worldwide. As both leagues continue to innovate and expand their reach, the competition for holiday viewership is set to intensify in the coming years.