ESPN2 loses No. 2 position among sports nets for first time in 25 years

[Fenway]

ESPN 2 is now ranked #4th in average viewership as both NBCSN and FS1 have moved ahead of them. This news must bring smiles to Bettman as ESPN has to be looking hard at the NHL as is FS1.

A sleeper in all this is the CBS Sports Channel which has no flagship sport and still offers the NHL the OTA US network coverage that the NHL covets.

ESPN2 loses No. 2 position among sports nets for first time in 25 years​

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[USAUSA1]

Definitely a plus for the NHL. Stanley Cup playoffs is a hot commodity.

 

[razor ray]

ESPN is the only cable channel with NFL football if I’m not mistaken. That alone should put it as #1. The American obsession with football is undeniable.

FS1 has actually improved quite a bit. I like their daytime shows.

Other than anything hockey NBCSN is worthless.

 

[JiggsNY]

ESPN is the only cable channel with NFL football if I’m not mistaken. That alone should put it as #1. The American obsession with football is undeniable.

FS1 has actually improved quite a bit. I like their daytime shows.

Other than anything hockey NBCSN is worthless.

Eh, not worthless i dont think, Nascar/ Indycar have big followings in other parts of the country, Golf is pretty huge, the Olympics every other year, and Premier League Soccer must do very well for them, despite the time difficulties. NBCSN does have a decent amount.

 

[Fenway]

I have mixed feelings about sports leagues having multiple networks.

MLB is the worst where all season long ESPN does games and then after the wild card games they are out of the postseason. NBA deals with ESPN and TNT. The NFL is immune, they could put games on any channel and viewers would find them.

Last year NBC pushed it when they put NHL playoff games on the GOLF channel.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

I have mixed feelings about sports leagues having multiple networks.

MLB is the worst where all season long ESPN does games and then after the wild card games they are out of the postseason. NBA deals with ESPN and TNT. The NFL is immune, they could put games on any channel and viewers would find them.

Last year NBC pushed it when they put NHL playoff games on the GOLF channel.

Doesn't TBS only do playoff games for MLB? They have a strange deal with MLB.

All NFL games are broadcasted on network TV, even MNF (albeit only for fans in markets whose teams are playing).

 

[Fenway]

Doesn't TBS only do playoff games for MLB? They have a strange deal with MLB.

All NFL games are broadcasted on network TV, even MNF (albeit only for fans in markets whose teams are playing).

TBS does games on Sunday afternoons but they are non-exclusive.