The Battle for Christmas Day: Reviewing The Ratings for the NFL vs NBA Holiday Showdown
Dec 27, 2024
auto_awesome
Discover the thrilling holiday showdown between the NFL and NBA as their Christmas Day ratings are put to the test. Delve into the impressive viewership numbers of the NBA on ABC contrasted with the NFL's performance on Netflix. Examine how the shifting dynamics affect both leagues’ futures and broadcasting strategies. Plus, uncover how global reach and lucrative contracts play into basketball’s revenue potential while the NFL innovates its broadcasting approach. It's a fascinating look at sports rivalry on the biggest holiday!
The NBA achieved a notable comeback with 5.25 million viewers on Christmas Day, reflecting its robust performance and resilience despite challenges.
The NFL's strategic move to Netflix for Christmas games resulted in a record-setting 24.2 million viewers, highlighting the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting.
Deep dives
NBA vs. NFL Christmas Ratings
The intense rivalry between the NBA and NFL on Christmas Day is highlighted, with the NBA averaging 5.25 million viewers for its five games, marking a significant 84% increase from the previous year. This marked the NBA's most-watched Christmas in five years, despite previous concerns over a decline in viewership. Factors contributing to the NBA's success included airing games on ABC, which has a broader reach compared to ESPN, and the reduced competition from the NFL, which only featured two games this year. The improvement in viewership, particularly for high-profile matchups like the Lakers versus the Warriors, underscores the NBA's resilience amidst challenges and misconceptions about its popularity.
NFL's Streaming Success and Future Prospects
The NFL's shift of its Christmas games to streaming platforms like Netflix reflects a strategic move, yielding an average audience of 24.2 million viewers, despite expectations of lower numbers. The report emphasizes that Netflix's games, though less competitive, set a record for the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, showcasing the platform's growing interest in live sports. This partnership not only enhanced viewership but also serves as a test model for future media rights deals. As the NFL continues to innovate and adapt, including possibly expanding its regular season and renegotiating lucrative broadcast deals, it solidifies its position as a powerhouse in the sports industry.
Today's podcast looks at the ratings and performance of the NFL and NBA's slate on Christmas Day. I analyze the numbers to see which league came out on top, if the NFL has officially taken Christmas Day from the NBA, what it all means for the future of both leagues and how Netflix factors into it all. Enjoy!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode