NBA delivers most-watched Christmas Day in 5 years

NEW YORK – The NBA delivered its most-watched Christmas Day in five years, averaging 5.25 million viewers per game in the U.S. across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals. Viewership increased by 84% compared to last year.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors – which featured a thrilling duel between LeBron James and Stephen Curry – led by 22 with an average of 7.76 million viewers and a peak of 8.32 million viewers :30 pm ET. It was the most-watched NBA regular season and Christmas game in five years, recording a 499% increase over the comparable time slot last year.

Heading into the day, the New York Knicks’ 117-114 victory over the San Antonio Spurs averaged 4.91 million viewers, making it the most-watched Christmas Day opening game in 13 years and a 98% increase over the comparable window of the last year. All five Christmas Day games increased viewership compared to last year, including Philadelphia 76ers/Boston Celtics (5.16 million viewers, up 3%), Minnesota Timberwolves/Dallas Mavericks (4.38 million viewers, up 6%) and Denver Nuggets/Phoenix Suns (3.84 million viewers, up 161%). Nuggets/Suns was the most-watched late window ever on Christmas Day.

The NBA generated more than 500 million video views across its social media platforms on Christmas Day, an all-time record. The five-game slate also made for the most-watched Christmas Day ever on NBA League Pass. NBA Christmas Games were distributed in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages.

The next #NBAXmas ALWAYS.

🎄 Bridges, Wemby duel in Knicks W
🎄 Ant comes CLUTCH for Wolves
🎄 The Sixers return to Boston
🎄 Reaves wins for the Lakers
🎄 KD, Beal Power Suns

Today’s average margin of victory was 5 points – the narrowest ever on a Christmas Day with more than 5 games. pic.twitter.com/ZAi9Lc7ic4

– NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2024

NBA viewership across all ESPN platforms is up 4% this season compared to last year. With NBA games this season, ESPN and TNT are the most-watched cable channels among people under 50 on 21 of 24 nights. Leading up to Christmas, NBA viewership on ABC, ESPN and TNT increased each week in December, with an average increase of 7% over the previous week. Viewership for Emirates NBA Cup games on ESPN and TNT increased 6% compared to non-NBA Cup games over the same period.

So far this season, the NBA has generated a record 11 billion views across its social and digital channels. The NBA has the largest social media following of any professional sports league and one of the largest social media communities of any brand.