Business

Netflix Loved Christmas This Year

Mainly thanks to the NFL and the monster viewership they brought.

Netflix scored a holiday touchdown this Christmas, smashing records as nearly 65 million people tuned in to watch its exclusive NFL broadcasts. According to Nielsen, the Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million viewers, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled in 24.1 million. The star of the show, though? Beyoncé’s halftime performance during the Ravens game, which drew a peak audience of over 27 million viewers. Queen Bey delivering on Christmas? Iconic.

Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria called the historic viewership “the best Christmas gift we could have delivered,” while also shouting out the NFL, their on-air talent, and holiday music royalty Beyoncé and Mariah Carey. This marks the first year of Netflix’s three-year deal with the NFL for exclusive Christmas Day games—and what a kickoff it was.

But Netflix wasn’t the only one making sports history. Over in NBA land, Christmas Day viewership hit a five-year high. The Los Angeles Lakers’ win against the Golden State Warriors was the headline event, averaging 7.76 million viewers and peaking at 8.32 million, making it the NBA’s most-watched Christmas game since 2018. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs attracted 4.91 million viewers, the most for a Christmas Day opener in 13 years.

In total, the NBA’s five Christmas matchups saw an 84% viewership increase compared to last year. The games aired across Disney’s platforms, including ABC, ESPN, and Disney+.

For Netflix and the NBA, this Christmas was one for the record books, proving that holiday sports—and a little Beyoncé magic—can unite millions. It’s safe to say the holiday spirit was alive and well on screens across America.

Founder of HBO Passes Away

Charles F Dolan, founder of HBO, dies aged 98.

Charles F. Dolan, a true trailblazer in the media industry and the visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision, has passed away at the age of 98. According to his family, Dolan died of natural causes, leaving behind an incredible legacy that reshaped cable television and entertainment as we know it.

In 1972, Dolan launched Home Box Office (HBO), pioneering the premium cable channel model. A year later, he founded Cablevision, a company that became a cornerstone of the U.S. cable industry. Dolan didn’t stop there—he created American Movie Classics (AMC) in 1984 and News 12, the first 24-hour local news channel in the U.S., serving New York City. His innovative ideas laid the groundwork for much of today’s media landscape.

The Dolan family issued a heartfelt statement, calling Charles “our beloved father and patriarch,” while MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports hailed his “immeasurable impact” on media, sports, and entertainment.

A Cleveland native who left college to pursue his ambitions, Dolan sold Cablevision to Altice for $17.7 billion in 2016, marking the end of an era. Yet, his influence continued through his family’s holdings, including stakes in Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and iconic sports franchises like the Knicks and Rangers.

Dolan’s philanthropic efforts were equally noteworthy. He co-founded The Lustgarten Foundation, dedicated to pancreatic cancer research, leaving a lasting mark in both business and philanthropy.

Survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, Dolan’s impact spans generations. His wife, Helen Ann, passed away in 2023. At the time of his death, Forbes reported his family’s net worth at $5.4 billion—a testament to a life built on visionary ideas and enduring legacy.

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U.S. News

Search for Sasquatch Ends in Tragedy

Two Oregon men died of exposure while searching for Sasquatch in Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Christmas Eve.

Two Oregon men, aged 59 and 37, were tragically found dead in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest after a Christmas Eve trip to search for Sasquatch. According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, the men appeared to have succumbed to exposure due to severe weather and insufficient preparedness. The discovery followed a three-day search involving 60 volunteers, drones, canine units, and Coast Guard infrared technology. Their vehicle was located near Oklahoma Road on the forest’s southern border, leading search teams to the heavily wooded area where the bodies were found.

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Economy

Mortgage Rates Climb as 2024 Closes

Mortgage rates hit 6.85%, a five-month high, capping off a challenging year for the housing market plagued by limited supply.

Mortgage rates rose to their highest levels in five months this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.85%, up from 6.72% last week. This marks an end-of-year increase compared to 6.61% a year ago, as per Freddie Mac. The 15-year fixed mortgage also climbed slightly to 5.92%. Despite some improvement in home sales, the market continues to struggle with a housing shortage.

From Wall Street to Bitcoin

The week ahead is quiet for earnings, but experts predict gains for the S&P 500, a Bitcoin boom, and retail evolution in 2025.

The upcoming week will be quiet on the earnings front, with no major company reports scheduled and the stock market closed on January 1st for New Year’s Day. Analysts are optimistic about the future, with forecasts predicting the S&P 500 to reach 6,500 in 2025, driven by earnings growth and favorable monetary policies.

Bitcoin's meteoric rise in 2024 has set the stage for another transformative year in 2025, fueled by President-elect Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance and Elon Musk's influence. Meanwhile, the retail industry faces rapid evolution, with trends like tech-powered dining and convenience-driven shopping expected to define the landscape in 2025.

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Politics

Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Carter had been receiving hospice care since February 2023.

Former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a global humanitarian, has passed away at the age of 100. Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, spent his final days at home in Plains, Georgia, alongside his wife, Rosalynn, who passed just weeks prior.

Carter was a one-term president, leading the nation from 1977 to 1981. Despite challenges like the Iran hostage crisis and economic struggles tarnishing his presidency, his post-presidential life was a masterclass in service. The Camp David Accords, brokered during his term, were a historic peace milestone, but it was his decades-long dedication to human rights, democracy, and conflict resolution through the Carter Center that cemented his legacy.

Often called “America’s greatest ex-president,” Carter didn’t just retire—he got to work. From hammering nails for Habitat for Humanity to negotiating peace treaties and overseeing elections worldwide, his contributions earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Before politics, Carter was a Georgia peanut farmer and a U.S. Navy officer trained in nuclear engineering. His journey from Plains to the presidency, fueled by an ethos of honesty and faith, made him a unique figure in American politics.

Carter's centennial in October 2024 was a moment of reflection on his extraordinary life, with President Joe Biden calling him “a moral force for our nation.” Carter’s ability to transcend political divisions and dedicate himself to humanity’s betterment serves as a profound example of leadership grounded in humility and compassion.

As the world remembers Jimmy Carter, his life reminds us of the power of service, faith, and second acts. His legacy, woven through peace-building, democracy, and kindness, will inspire generations to come.

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