The NBA delivered a slam dunk on Christmas Day, capturing its largest holiday audience in five years. According to Nielsen Fast Nationals, the league averaged 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+. This marks an 84% increase from last year’s Christmas Day viewership, making it a historic day for the NBA.
Blockbuster Matchups Drive Ratings
Fans were treated to five thrilling matchups, with each game showcasing exciting action and record-breaking viewership numbers.
The marquee game of the day featured LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers edging out Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biting 115-113 victory. This game averaged 7.76 million viewers, peaking at 8.32 million viewers at 10:30 p.m. ET. It was not only the most-watched NBA regular-season game in five years but also saw a staggering 499% increase compared to the same time slot last year.
A Record-Setting Day
The day started strong with the New York Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs, drawing an audience of 4.91 million viewers. This marked the most-watched Christmas Day opener in 13 years, with viewership up 98% year-over-year.
Other games saw significant year-over-year increases in viewership:
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics: 5.16 million viewers (up 3%).
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks: 4.38 million viewers (up 6%).
- Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns: 3.84 million viewers (up 161%), making it the most-watched late game in Christmas Day history.
Social Media and Global Reach
The NBA also set a new record with more than 500 million video views across its social media platforms on Christmas Day. Additionally, the five-game schedule became the most-viewed Christmas Day in NBA League Pass history. The games were distributed to 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, underscoring the league’s global appeal.
NFL Competition and Beyoncé’s Halftime Show
For the first time, the NBA faced competition from the NFL, which aired two Christmas Day games. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens bested the Houston Texans.
During halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, Beyoncé delivered a dazzling performance of hits from her latest project, Cowboy Carter, further drawing viewers.
LeBron James Defends Christmas as the NBA’s Day
Despite the NFL’s presence, LeBron James affirmed the NBA’s Christmas Day legacy in a post-game interview.
“I love the NFL. I love the NFL,” James said. “But Christmas is our [NBA’s] day.”
A Day to Remember
With record-breaking viewership, global reach, and unparalleled engagement across platforms, the NBA solidified its position as the go-to entertainment for Christmas Day. The league’s ability to captivate fans both in the U.S. and around the world underscores its enduring appeal and dominance during the holiday season.
