2021 NHL TV ratings thread

lottster14

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Feb 10, 2019
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I'm telling you, limited fans in attendance and low intensity, soft regular seasons are starting to catch up to the league. "Fans must be vaccinated to come into the arena" get the hell out with that shit. I honestly don't expect ratings to return to normal in the playoffs.
 
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OG6ix

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I'm telling you, limited fans in attendance and low intensity, soft regular seasons are starting to catch up to the league. "Fans must be vaccinated to come into the arena" get the hell out with that shit. I honestly don't expect ratings to return to normal in the playoffs.

NBC is mailing it in with the advertising across platforms I hear. It's already hard for casuals to find the channel.
 

joelef

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NBC’s final NHL regular season game — regionalized coverage of Rangers-Bruins or Sabres-Penguins — averaged a 0.31 rating and 502,000 viewers Saturday afternoon, marking the lowest NHL rating ever on a broadcast network. The previous low of 0.34 was set a week earlier by Lightning-Red Wings on NBC. Keep in mind that neither game aired on NBC in the participating markets.

Fully half of NBC’s 16 NHL windows this season averaged a 0.5 rating or lower. By comparison, none of the network’s ten pre-hiatus windows last season averaged less than a 0.6.

In other action, NBCSN pulled 238,000 for Islanders-Bruins Monday night
 

OG6ix

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NBC’s final NHL regular season game — regionalized coverage of Rangers-Bruins or Sabres-Penguins — averaged a 0.31 rating and 502,000 viewers Saturday afternoon, marking the lowest NHL rating ever on a broadcast network. The previous low of 0.34 was set a week earlier by Lightning-Red Wings on NBC. Keep in mind that neither game aired on NBC in the participating markets.

Fully half of NBC’s 16 NHL windows this season averaged a 0.5 rating or lower. By comparison, none of the network’s ten pre-hiatus windows last season averaged less than a 0.6.

In other action, NBCSN pulled 238,000 for Islanders-Bruins Monday night


I am not sure what I am supposed to think here with those soccer ratings? They are pretty low considering that most of these teams play one game (some MAY have 2 games) a week. If that was the same scenario for the NHL the viewership would not be close. What are these games in the MLS at this point game 3 or 4 for the average team? Comparing them to game 52 that does not matter? Also the NHL games were non-exclusive as well no?

MLS Cup 2019 Drew 823,000 viewers (one game only) to compare the Stanley Cup game 7 in the same year drew an average of close to 9 million viewers with very little ESPN coverage or Fox etc.
 
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Fenway

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Bruins ratings on NESN soar to highest level since 2014-15 season - The Boston Globe

The Bruins begin the postseason Saturday against the Capitals. But the season has already been a success in one measure: Bruins telecasts were a ratings hit on NESN this season.

The 49 games that were broadcast on the network drew a 4.18 household rating, the highest for a season since 2014-15 and up 18 percent over last season.

The broadcasts saw growth of 10 percent or greater in some notable demographics, including adults 18-34 (2.19 rating, 11 percent growth), and men 25-54 (3.87 rating, up 12 percent). The adults 25-54 demo earned a 2.81 rating, up 7 percent over last season.
 

OG6ix

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NBCSN is garbage - I am glad the NHL is on ESPN/TNT for the next 7 years. NBC the main channel was fine but the NHL really needed to be on a legimate sports channel so people actually knew there may be a big game on later that day/night or even get some highlights.
 
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CHRDANHUTCH

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NBCSN is garbage - I am glad the NHL is on ESPN/TNT for the next 7 years. NBC the main channel was fine but the NHL really needed to be on a legimate sports channel so people actually knew there may be a big game on later that day/night or even get some highlights.
oh

then why aren't Americans clamoring for Sportsnet and TSN here since the Canadian government's so restrictive broadcast-wise
 

Kirk Van Houten

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Looking at the Playoffs schedule on the NBC side i don't see nothing weird so far, they seem to treat this last Playoffs in a decent way.
 

eddygee

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I am not sure what I am supposed to think here with those soccer ratings? They are pretty low considering that most of these teams play one game (some MAY have 2 games) a week. If that was the same scenario for the NHL the viewership would not be close. What are these games in the MLS at this point game 3 or 4 for the average team? Comparing them to game 52 that does not matter? Also the NHL games were non-exclusive as well no?

MLS Cup 2019 Drew 823,000 viewers (one game only) to compare the Stanley Cup game 7 in the same year drew an average of close to 9 million viewers with very little ESPN coverage or Fox etc.

Fair points but that MLS Cup you picked that year was a abnormal one played at 12 on a NFL Sunday and went head to head against NFL. Last years numbers are more apple to apple even including COVID as both were played in Primetime. MLS doesn't have the added build up viewership bonus NHL Stanley Cups have when its a 5-7 game build up that even if you missed one game 1,2,3,4,5 you have constant reminders the Cup is going on so more shots at the casual viewership apple. MLS Cup is one and done if you miss it its over. Often casual fans on social media will be like when's the championship game its soon right? and its like it happened last night. They should go the Mexican league route or like they do in Australia with the Grand Finals or Champions League finals and have a 2 legged affair and change the name to the MLS Cup Final(s). MLS Cup normally avgs 1.5-2mil Stanley Cup is about 4.5 mil most years. Last year was much lower but understandably COVID. MLS Cup numbers remained normal.
All the MLS die hards are tuning into MLS Cup with little casual viewers, so its numbers were less effected by the dip last year during COVID like NHL was.There are people who won't follow NHL or a league but will tune in for a championship game out of tradition. MLS at 26yrs hasn't made it a generational viewing tradition yet. Only the diehards care and a small but growing casual viewer cares now. Unlike the Stanley Cup where even if you don't watch a lick of hockey you'll likely tune in a hour or so because you're trained to care and told it's a big event. It's like me and the Triple Crown Kentucky Derby.

That status comes with time and access. It wasn't until 2016 when MLS Cup was readily available on a Big 4 Network in Primetime. ABC has it in the early evening this year then the last year of deal back to FOX in primetime.
 
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NextBigThing

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CBC must be head over heels right about now. They finally get the much coveted Toronto/Montreal series. Here’s my prediction on how the “TV draft” will go up in Canada.

CBC - Toronto/Montreal
CBC - Edmonton/Winnipeg
TSN - Boston/Washington
TSN - Pittsburgh/New York

The rest of the series won’t draw up North and don’t really matter.
 

eddygee

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Exclusive games are UP +15%


Up 15% is the PR spin zone all leagues and networks P/R seem to do now. Keith Olberman post yesterday this about the PR shine ESPN put on about dumping MLB week day games. Already been said MLS will take ALOT of those future summer June-August weekday evening dates, especially in its new TV deal that should be announced around this time next year. ESPN will be airing alot of MLS/UFC/US Open Tennis. Going by their main past summer schedule the rotation was MLB/MLS/UFC/US Open Tennis. MLB was their biggest Summer "Inventory" Property that's now MLS.
 
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Bostonzamboni

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Bruins ratings on NESN soar to highest level since 2014-15 season - The Boston Globe

The Bruins begin the postseason Saturday against the Capitals. But the season has already been a success in one measure: Bruins telecasts were a ratings hit on NESN this season.

The 49 games that were broadcast on the network drew a 4.18 household rating, the highest for a season since 2014-15 and up 18 percent over last season.

The broadcasts saw growth of 10 percent or greater in some notable demographics, including adults 18-34 (2.19 rating, 11 percent growth), and men 25-54 (3.87 rating, up 12 percent). The adults 25-54 demo earned a 2.81 rating, up 7 percent over last season.
Good to see a solid Bruins rating, but it should be up due to no October to January games -- which are usually of less interest and likely will draw less even if a team is competitive.

AND....with all Bruins NESN games this year airing no later than probably 7:30 pm in Boston, well, of course ratings should be better than if the Bruins played several games in Mountain and Pacific time zones at night. The Celtics did have some games in those time zones this year, which likely hurt their ratings, so it wouldn't even be fair to compare Bruins and Celtics local cable ratings this year, assuming NBCSports Boston releases the rating next week once the season ends.
 

NextBigThing

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The Bruins might have the better tv ratings, but the Celtics definitely have more buzz. The C’s get significantly more coverage on sports radio and more discussion around the water cooler on job sites. Nationally, the Celtics have a lot more fans than the Bruins.
 

ForumNamePending

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Mar 31, 2012
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CBC must be head over heels right about now. They finally get the much coveted Toronto/Montreal series. Here’s my prediction on how the “TV draft” will go up in Canada.

CBC - Toronto/Montreal
CBC - Edmonton/Winnipeg
TSN - Boston/Washington
TSN - Pittsburgh/New York

The rest of the series won’t draw up North and don’t really matter.

TSN?:huh:

EDIT: Come to think of it, CBC doesn't own any of the broadcast rights either.

The Bruins might have the better tv ratings, but the Celtics definitely have more buzz. The C’s get significantly more coverage on sports radio and more discussion around the water cooler on job sites. Nationally, the Celtics have a lot more fans than the Bruins.

Well with the immense credibility you've built up over years I guess we have no choice but to take you at your word.:thumbu:
 
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Anisimovs AK

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Fair points but that MLS Cup you picked that year was a abnormal one played at 12 on a NFL Sunday and went head to head against NFL. Last years numbers are more apple to apple even including COVID as both were played in Primetime. MLS doesn't have the added build up viewership bonus NHL Stanley Cups have when its a 5-7 game build up that even if you missed one game 1,2,3,4,5 you have constant reminders the Cup is going on so more shots at the casual viewership apple. MLS Cup is one and done if you miss it its over. Often casual fans on social media will be like when's the championship game its soon right? and its like it happened last night. They should go the Mexican league route or like they do in Australia with the Grand Finals or Champions League finals and have a 2 legged affair and change the name to the MLS Cup Final(s). MLS Cup normally avgs 1.5-2mil Stanley Cup is about 4.5 mil most years. Last year was much lower but understandably COVID. MLS Cup numbers remained normal.
All the MLS die hards are tuning into MLS Cup with little casual viewers, so its numbers were less effected by the dip last year during COVID like NHL was.There are people who won't follow NHL or a league but will tune in for a championship game out of tradition. MLS at 26yrs hasn't made it a generational viewing tradition yet. Only the diehards care and a small but growing casual viewer cares now. Unlike the Stanley Cup where even if you don't watch a lick of hockey you'll likely tune in a hour or so because you're trained to care and told it's a big event. It's like me and the Triple Crown Kentucky Derby.

That status comes with time and access. It wasn't until 2016 when MLS Cup was readily available on a Big 4 Network in Primetime. ABC has it in the early evening this year then the last year of deal back to FOX in primetime.
All that just to defend the MLS. Interesting
 

Anisimovs AK

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Apr 14, 2006
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Up 15% is the PR spin zone all leagues and networks P/R seem to do now. Keith Olberman post yesterday this about the PR shine ESPN put on about dumping MLB week day games. Already been said MLS will take ALOT of those future summer June-August weekday evening dates, especially in its new TV deal that should be announced around this time next year. ESPN will be airing alot of MLS/UFC/US Open Tennis. Going by their main past summer schedule the rotation was MLB/MLS/UFC/US Open Tennis. MLB was their biggest Summer "Inventory" Property that's now MLS.

The wednesday exclusive window being up 15 percent over last year and the highest rated exclusive window in 4 years is in no way comparable to ESPN drastically cutting its baseball inventory in terms of PR spin, but okay.
 
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eddygee

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The wednesday exclusive window being up 15 percent over last year and the highest rated exclusive window in 4 years is in no way comparable to ESPN drastically cutting its baseball inventory in terms of PR spin, but okay.

The gist is similar key take away was it was the lowest rated year since NBC had rights, you can put lipstick on a pig so many ways or throw cheese on a turd sandwich so many ways its still a turd. It's PR spin 101: find a positive out of bad news and hope you can focus the customers on that positive. This isn't the merely mixed result headline. Most of us tracking this years numbers knew this would be the lowest rated year for sometime when the NBC numbers were down (main ratings driver) The main news was this was the lowest NBC rated season since NBC has done business with the league a "low first" similar to MLB's situation and as Paulsen stated here.

New ESPN-MLB deal includes very few games
"ESPN’s MLB deal effectively marks the end of regular weekday baseball on the network. Most of those weeknight games either co-existed with RSN coverage in participating markets or were blacked out entirely. Per SBJ, MLB is shopping around those weeknight rights and a deal with a digital media company could be announced in the coming weeks. In addition, Turner’s new deal includes a regular Tuesday night slate starting next season."

Point is as I said similar to MLB with ESPN there was a lot of P/R spin to mask bad info. This shouldn't be a revelation or worth debating further as it is what it is I was simply pointing out Olbermann's wit e.g ESPN's P/R spin replying to your post. There's no need to start this whole hurt pride back in forth we are all NHL fans here in a safe space discussing TV ratings. No need to name call "trolls" etc all though some deserve that name more than others from their past cherry picked comparison posting history I've seen. We are also all sports fans in the US/Canada (most of us) and also follow other US leagues closely. So there will be cross comparisons and points made when cross comparisons are made.
 
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eddygee

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Mar 12, 2018
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With the showbuzzdaily page down since last week, anybody knows where to get some numbers in other site?
All the usuals have no info Programming Insider/TV Line. They all have no info outside of a few header ratings comps for SNL. Makes you wonder how much of a coincidence it is that ShowBuzzDaily site is down and now no one has ratings numbers. Maybe they've all just been mooching off of ShowBuzz all these years.
 
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ForumNamePending

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I'm not seeing a whole lot of spin here. To start with we are talking about tweet sent out by a independent third party, not the league or NBC.

Exclusive games were up 15%, but the overall average was dragged down by the abnormally high number of non-exclusive broadcasts... That's it, that's basically the full story regarding NHL viewership so far this season... Overall, per usual, NHL viewership was meh. If you want to argue this Austin Karp fella is trying to put positive spin on things go ahead, but in that case you're just as guilty of "spin" as anyone else. Just look at your "wellactually..." post regarding MLS viewership from a few days ago, compared to the long established concern trolling when it comes to the NHL.
 
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Kirk Van Houten

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May 7, 2019
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All the usuals have no info Programming Insider/TV Line. They all have no info outside of a few header ratings comps for SNL. Makes you wonder how much of a coincidence it is that ShowBuzzDaily site is down and now no one has ratings numbers. Maybe they've all just been mooching off of ShowBuzz all these years.

One falls down and the rest crumble lol
 

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