### NBA Christmas Day Viewership Soars to 15-Year High The NBA has reported a remarkable surge in viewership for its Christmas Day games, achieving the highest numbers in 15 years. Over **47 million viewers** in the U.S. tuned in to watch at least part of the five-game lineup, reflecting a **45% increase** from the previous year. This significant growth highlights the league's ability to captivate audiences, even amidst competition from other sports. Notably, the Cleveland-New York matchup set a record as the most-watched Christmas game ever for its noon Eastern time slot, averaging **6.4 million viewers**. The NBA also dominated social media, becoming the "most-viewed brand" on Christmas with **1.6 billion views** of its content, marking a **23% increase** from 2024 [https://apnews.com/article/nba-christmas-ratings-92a957462f06d4eca3a8d16d8aac7b26, https://www.wdio.com/ap-top-news/nba-christmas-viewership-hits-15-year-high-with-47m-viewers-and-social-media-numbers-set-records, https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3441697/nba-christmas-viewership-hits-15-year-high-with-47-m-viewers]. ### Breakdown of Viewership and Social Media Impact 1. **Overall Viewership Increase** - More than **47 million** viewers watched the NBA Christmas Day games, a **45% increase** from 2024. - Average viewership for the games was **5.5 million**, up **4%** from the previous year [https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3441697/nba-christmas-viewership-hits-15-year-high-with-47-m-viewers]. 2. **Record-Breaking Games** - The Cleveland-New York game became the most-watched Christmas game ever for the noon slot, averaging **6.4 million viewers**. - The San Antonio-Oklahoma City game was the most-watched in the **2:30 p.m.** slot since 2017. - The Dallas-Golden State game was the most-watched in the **5 p.m.** slot since 2019 [https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47464448/nba-christmas-ratings-hit-15-year-high-sets-social-media-marks]. 3. **Social Media Dominance** - The NBA was the "most-viewed brand across social media" on Christmas, generating **1.6 billion views**. - This figure represents a **23% increase** over the previous Christmas [https://www.nba.com/news/christmas-day-viewership-nba-2025]. ### Key Metrics and Data Summary - **Total Viewers**: **47 million** (up **45%** from 2024) - **Average Viewership**: **5.5 million** (up **4%** from 2024) - **Cleveland-New York Game**: **6.4 million** viewers (most-watched noon game) - **San Antonio-Oklahoma City Game**: Most-watched in its timeslot since 2017 - **Dallas-Golden State Game**: Most-watched in its timeslot since 2019 - **Social Media Views**: **1.6 billion** (up **23%** from 2024) [https://apnews.com/article/nba-christmas-ratings-92a957462f06d4eca3a8d16d8aac7b26, https://www.wdio.com/ap-top-news/nba-christmas-viewership-hits-15-year-high-with-47m-viewers-and-social-media-numbers-set-records]. ### Conclusion: A Resounding Success for the NBA The NBA's Christmas Day viewership numbers reflect a **strong resurgence** in interest and engagement, showcasing the league's ability to attract a large audience despite fierce competition. The record-breaking viewership and social media engagement indicate a successful strategy in promoting the games and connecting with fans. 1. **Viewership Growth**: The NBA achieved a **45% increase** in viewership, with over **47 million** tuning in. 2. **Record Games**: Key matchups set new records for viewership in their respective time slots. 3. **Social Media Engagement**: The league's content generated **1.6 billion views**, solidifying its presence on social platforms. This combination of factors positions the NBA favorably for future growth and fan engagement [https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3441697/nba-christmas-viewership-hits-15-year-high-with-47-m-viewers, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47464448/nba-christmas-ratings-hit-15-year-high-sets-social-media-marks].