• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 17, 2025

NFL Dominates Christmas Viewership, Far Outpacing NBA

  • The NFL’s three games on Christmas Day averaged 22.9M viewers as NBA’s five-game slate averaged 4.27M.
  • Fox’s Eagles-Cowboys game was most-watched Christmas Eve game in at least two decades.
Dallas Cowboys receivers celebrate while heading into tunnel
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles-Cowboys NFC East showdown lured in the most viewers for a Christmas Eve game in at least two decades, and Christmas Day wasn’t too shabby for the NFL, either. 

For the last 75 years, Christmas Day has been an NBA tradition. But the NFL scheduled a triple-header on the holiday and dominated the ratings on Sunday.

In total, the three NFL Christmas Day broadcasts averaged 22.9 million viewers, an increase of 14.5% from last year’s doubleheader. The NBA’s five-game Christmas Day broadcasts on ABC and ESPN averaged 4.27 million viewers, a 5% bump from last year. 

Fox’s Christmas Day broadcast of the Packers’ victory over the Dolphins averaged 25.9 million viewers, which makes it the second-most watched Dec. 25th game since at least 2000, according to Sports Media Watch. 

The NFL had two other games on Christmas Day:  

  • Broncos-Rams on CBS and Nickelodeon averaged 22.6 million viewers combined.
  • Buccaneers-Cardinals on NBC averaged 17.1 million viewers.

Holiday Feast

The NFL averaged 44.1 million viewers on Thanksgiving Day, which grew 31% from the initial numbers released as out-of-home viewing were revised after a Nielsen-NFL study. Nielsen began estimating out-of-home viewing in 2020. 

An estimated 27.8 million viewers watched the Cowboy’s win over the Giants on Fox, a 15% improvement over the same Christmas Eve window in 2021. NFL Network’s Raiders-Steelers primetime broadcast on Saturday averaged 10.94 million viewers.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
Mar 31, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (5) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena.

Terry Rozier’s Attorney Confirms He’s Still Under Federal Gambling Probe

Rozier finished the season playing for the Heat despite the federal probe.
Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center.

Bradley Beal Agrees to Suns Buyout, Will Join Clippers

Beal is the latest star player to leave Phoenix behind Kevin Durant.
Adam Silver

Silver Warns RSN Uncertainty Could Slow NBA Expansion

The commissioner said Tuesday that the league will study the issue.

Featured Today

2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
July 15, 2025

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
F1
July 11, 2025

F1 ‘Poised’ to Choose Apple Money Over ESPN Reach

Formula One looks to be changing lanes.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.