Netflix and Disney's ESPN returned to normal with a simple Christmas message as the two sports brands battle for viewer supremacy during the holiday season.
Although the idea of war at Christmas has become something of a meme in recent years, bans on Christmas trees and other “Christmas-themed items” still occur from time to time.
If football and basketball fans are tired of hearing “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas,” the NBA and NFL are switching to “Merry Christmas” this year to garner ambiguous emotions rather than anger from viewers. They seem keen to focus.
The first NFL broadcast on Netflix focused on Christmas, specifically the message of “.Merry Christmas. ”
Stars like Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson ran around like a madman Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce wore Santa coats in the locker room.
Chiefs coach at the time, Andy Reid appeared Santa Claus himself wishes “Merry Christmas” to all players.
All of these were officially announced by the NFL. Yes, the league wants recognition – and it worked.
Netflix's live coverage of the Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game was the second most popular, drawing viewers from over 200 countries.
According to mirrorthe platform recorded its highest concurrent viewership in four years on Christmas Day, with a third of its viewers tuning in to the football game.
Arrowhead Stadium, Christmas Day 2023Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images
“I love the NFL. But Christmas is our day.”
The NBA obviously wants competition, and basketball is historically a staple sport of Christmas in the United States, so the league went all out. Viewer numbers are still unknown, but the NBA has built high expectations by pitting LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers against Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors.
After the thrilling two-point win, James made it clear that the NBA is doing everything in its power to win.
“I love the NFL. I love the NFL. But Christmas is our day,” James said. said The ESPN reporter responded with his own version of “Merry Christmas.”
Lakers guard Austin Reaves sends his own 'Merry Christmas' message after historic triple-double pushed out After the game, on the official NBA channel.
Disney-owned ESPN also tapped into childhood memories during its broadcasts. call mickey mouse All of his friends participated in what looked like a horribly unfair pickup basketball game to someone with Pluto and Chip and Dale on their team.
At the end, Mickey's Christmas wish comes true and the tree lights up. Santa flew awayleave the Disney characters at the ball in their own personal Christmas coats.
Of course, major sports leagues know they can win back viewers by relying on healthy messaging, but only time will tell if the NBA can top last Christmas' 4 million viewership. Probably. The number was more than 10 million According to Sports Media Watch, that number could be reached in 2018, but unfortunately for the league, reaching that number seems like a pipe dream.
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