Wed Dec 25 18:30:00 UTC 2024: ## NFL Steals Christmas Spotlight from NBA as Global Streaming Deal Fuels Holiday Domination

**New York, NY** – For decades, Christmas Day has been synonymous with NBA basketball. However, the NFL is rapidly changing that narrative, leveraging a lucrative new streaming deal with Netflix to make its Christmas games a global phenomenon and eclipsing the NBA in viewership.

This year marks a significant shift in the holiday sports landscape. While the NBA will feature its usual Christmas Day matchups, including a highly anticipated meeting between Stephen Curry and LeBron James for the first time since 2018, the NFL is poised to dominate the holiday television ratings. This year’s games will be the first truly globally distributed Christmas Day sporting events.

The NFL’s strategic partnership with Netflix, a three-year deal reportedly worth $150 million, allows for broader international reach. This contrasts sharply with the NBA’s broadcast deal with ABC/ESPN, which costs significantly less per game. The NFL’s viewership on Christmas Day has steadily climbed over the past four years, reaching 28.7 million viewers last year, while the NBA’s has dropped to a record low of 2.9 million.

The NFL’s increased focus on Christmas Day games is driven by both soaring viewership numbers and substantial financial incentives. Last year’s Christmas games drew an average of 29 million viewers, second only to the record-setting 33 million who tuned in for the 1989 game. The league is banking on the festive atmosphere and its proven ability to unite viewers across the globe. This year’s games, featuring Beyoncé’s halftime performance and Mariah Carey’s festive pre-game show, are being touted as major cultural events.

This year’s lineup includes two NFL games: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans. The NBA will counter with five games, including the Lakers vs. Warriors matchup. Whether the NFL’s aggressive Christmas strategy will continue to outshine the NBA remains to be seen, but this year’s festivities promise a fiercely fought battle for holiday viewership supremacy.

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