Netflix boasts record NFL audience in the US
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The news: Netflix has broken records with Nielsen calculating an unduplicated audience of almost 65 million US viewers tuned in to watch at least some of the NFL on Christmas Day. The day also made history for the most-watched NFL game since records began in 2001.
The numbers: Beyonce’s halftime show peaked with over 27 million viewers. The Baltimore Ravens versus Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs versus Pittsburgh Steelers are now the most-streamed NFL games in US history, with a 24.3 million average minute audience and a 24.1 million average minute audience each.
The Ravens-Texans game was the most popular ever with adults aged 18 to 34, with 5.1 million US viewers. Netflix has a USD150 million exclusive three season partnership with the NFL to broadcast Christmas Day games and this was the first year of the deal. It was considered by some industry insiders as a significant test of platforms' ability to succeed with sports streaming.
Global viewership figures are due on 31 December, with 200 countries having access to the games.
What they said: "Bringing our members this record-breaking day of two NFL games was the best Christmas gift we could have delivered," said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria.
"We're thankful for our partnership with the NFL, all of our wonderful on-air talent, and let's please not forget the electrifying Beyoncé and the brilliant Mariah Carey."
NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said it was "historic" for the streaming service.
"We're thrilled with our first Christmas Gameday on Netflix with NFL games being streamed to a global audience," he said.
The source: NFL media release
