On Christmas Day, a pair of NFL games achieved monumental streaming success on Netflix, attracting approximately 65 million viewers combined, setting new records for the platform. The high-stakes matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers drew an average audience of 24.1 million, while the thrilling game featuring the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million viewers, marking these events as the most streamed NFL games in U.S. history, as reported by Nielsen.
The Ravens-Texans game saw a viewership spike during the much-anticipated “Beyonce Bowl.” Beyoncé’s halftime performance captivated over 27 million viewers, contributing significantly to the impressive numbers, according to Netflix’s statement.
Expressing excitement over these figures, Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution, highlighted the extensive reach of the league. “Fans in all 50 states and over 200 countries around the world watched some of the league’s brightest stars along with a dazzling performance by Beyoncé in a historic day for the NFL,” he stated.
Netflix, which has entered a three-season partnership with the NFL to host Christmas games, showcased the popularity of holiday football, although these matchups were not the platform’s most-watched sporting event recently. A boxing match featuring the legendary 58-year-old Mike Tyson and Jake Paul drew over 60 million viewers last month, surpassing the Christmas games.
For context, last season’s Super Bowl, where the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the San Francisco 49ers, reached an astounding 123.4 million viewers, affirming its status as the most-watched telecast in history, a record bested by the Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year, which attracted 115 million viewers.
This remarkable turnout not only emphasizes the growing audience for NFL games on streaming platforms but also reflects the compelling nature of combining sports with high-profile entertainment performances, like Beyoncé’s. It sets a positive precedent for future collaborations between sports and popular culture.
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate more thrilling matchups and entertainment that capitalize on this successful intersection.