Netflix’s NFL debut broke the record for a U.S. streaming audience for an NFL game, as an average of more than 24 million domestic viewers tuned in to the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans on Christmas Day.

The NFL will embark on a new Christmas Day tradition starting this year. Christmas Day games have been played in the past throughout the NFL, but only on special occasions.  That changes Wednesday, as the league will play Christmas Day games in the middle of the week for the first time.

Netflix’s big bet on the NFL and Beyoncé seems to have paid off. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Netflix had a lot on the line with two live NFL games on Christmas Day. It’s not just that the streaming giant paid $150 million to show the games as part of a three-year deal,