The NBA's ratings surge on Christmas proves fans can't get enough of basketball

In New York, the NBA's Christmas Day slate consisted of five games, which significantly boosted viewer engagement with an average of approximately 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, and other platforms. This notable increase in viewership is a clear indicator of rising interest, as all games saw year-over-year growth, culminating in an 84% rise compared to 2023 viewing numbers. A contributing factor to this increase was that all five games were broadcast on ABC for the first time, rather than just two games as in the previous year. A standout match included the dramatic face-off between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, where the Lakers secured a 115-113 victory. This matchup was particularly captivating due to the presence of NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who are also Olympic teammates. The game attracted a record average of about 7.91 million viewers, with peaks reaching around 8.45 million, marking it as the most-watched NBA regular-season game in the past five years. Moreover, the 12 p.m. EST game between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks garnered 4,997,000 viewers, making it the most-watched noon Christmas game since 2011. Additionally, the late-night contest between the Nuggets and Suns averaged 3.9 million viewers, becoming the most-watched Christmas late-night game in history. The surge in viewership is further attributable to ESPN’s innovative approach with its animated alternate broadcast titled “Dunk the Halls,