### NFL Streaming Milestone: Netflix Breaks Viewership Records on Christmas Day On Christmas Day 2025, Netflix achieved a significant milestone in sports broadcasting by setting a new record for NFL streaming. The highly anticipated game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings attracted an average of **27.5 million viewers** in the U.S., making it the most-watched NFL game in streaming history. This event not only surpassed previous records but also outperformed the NBA's Christmas Day games, which had their most-watched slate in 15 years. The Lions-Vikings matchup peaked at over **30 million viewers**, showcasing the growing popularity of streaming platforms for live sports events [https://www.sportspro.com/news/broadcast-ott/nfl-netflix-prime-video-christmas-nba-espn-abc-viewership-january-2026][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/netflix-viewership-record-shattered-lions-191813047.html]. ### Breakdown of the NFL Christmas Day Streaming Success 1. **Record-Breaking Viewership**: - The Lions-Vikings game averaged **27.5 million viewers**. - It peaked at over **30 million viewers**, indicating strong engagement [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/netflix-says-lions-vikings-christmas-210511531.html][https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-nfl-ratings-christmas-1236621368]. 2. **Comparison with Other Games**: - The Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs game on Amazon Prime Video averaged **21.06 million viewers**, setting a record for Thursday Night Football [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/broncos-chiefs-sets-tnf-prime-202842772.html]. - The Cowboys vs. Commanders game averaged **19.9 million viewers**, highlighting the competitive viewership landscape on Christmas Day [https://apnews.com/article/nfl-christmas-ratings-netflix-prime-video-86bf4b41ce919fa2139eb05091d5992c]. 3. **Social Media Impact**: - Netflix's "NFL Christmas Gameday" generated over **632 million social impressions** globally, with notable highlights including Snoop Dogg's halftime show [https://thedesk.net/2025/12/netflix-christmas-day-nfl-game-is-most-streamed-in-u-s][https://kdhnews.com/living/ae/lions-vikings-christmas-game-on-netflix-sets-nfl-streaming-record-averaging-27-5m-viewers/article_f312d74b-fbba-5fe6-b632-4e78e75cf662.html]. ### Supporting Data and Evidence - **Viewership Metrics**: - **Lions vs. Vikings**: Average of **27.5 million** viewers, peak of **30 million** [https://celebrity.land/netflixs-lions-vikings-game-reached-27-5-million-viewers-on-christmas-day-most-streamed-nfl-match-in-u-s-history]. - **Broncos vs. Chiefs**: Average of **21.06 million** viewers [https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/christmas-day-thursday-night-football-most-watched-prime-video.html]. - **Cowboys vs. Commanders**: Average of **19.9 million** viewers [https://www.local10.com/sports/2025/12/31/lions-vikings-christmas-game-on-netflix-sets-nfl-streaming-record-averaging-27-5m-viewers]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for NFL Streaming The record-setting viewership of the Lions-Vikings game on Netflix signifies a pivotal moment in the evolution of sports broadcasting. 1. **Major Findings**: - **Netflix's success** in streaming NFL games indicates a shift in how audiences consume sports content, favoring streaming platforms over traditional cable [https://frontofficesports.com/nfl-sets-streaming-record-on-christmas]. - The **engagement metrics** reflect a growing trend of sports viewership on digital platforms, with significant social media interaction enhancing the overall experience. 2. **Future Implications**: - As streaming services continue to invest in live sports, we can expect further innovations and competition in the broadcasting landscape, potentially reshaping viewer habits and expectations [https://thedailyguardian.com/entertainment-news/netflix-christmas-day-nfl-streams-set-us-viewership-records-2-689652]. This Christmas Day event not only set records but also marked a significant milestone in the integration of sports and streaming technology, paving the way for future developments in the industry.