NHL has to be nervous about TV ratings for the 2018 Playoffs on both sides of border

[Fenway]

Let's look at Canada first

Rogers Sportsnet will live or die with the Maple Leafs - Winnipeg is the tiniest market in Canada and could be a hard sell nationwide. French TVAS has very little they can market.

In the United States, local broadcasters can do the first round before NBC takes over and NBC has to be lighting candles hoping teams like Boston and Pittsburgh advance. The O6 teams are not having a great year.

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[SotasicA]

A Jets - Panthers final would be hilarious.

 

[dechire]

Why ? They get their money whether 5 people watch or 5 million.

 

[dkhockey]

Still better than NBA where only 3-4 teams have a shot at winning..... but hey, at least every NBA team have 10 different uniforms, so the people watching on TV think it's new teams.

Nike + NBA = Moron Association

 

[jetsforever]

A Jets - Panthers final would be hilarious.

I think something like Florida-Colorado would be worse. Jets will draw the entire city, plus lots of casual Canadian fans (yes, less than other Canadian teams but hockey isn't big in some US cities).

 

[SotasicA]

I think something like Florida-Colorado would be worse. Jets will draw the entire city, plus lots of casual Canadian fans (yes, less than other Canadian teams but hockey isn't big in some US cities).

Florida - Colorado in '96 did better than Detroit - Washington or Detroit - New Jersey.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

I'm sure they'll be thrilled if its Vegas vs. whoever

 

[Iceman]

Florida - Colorado in '96 did better than Detroit - Washington or Detroit - New Jersey.

Cinderella runs always get attention.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Let's look at Canada first

Rogers Sportsnet will live or die with the Maple Leafs - Winnipeg is the tiniest market in Canada and could be a hard sell nationwide. French TVAS has very little they can market.

In the United States, local broadcasters can do the first round before NBC takes over and NBC has to be lighting candles hoping teams like Boston and Pittsburgh advance. The O6 teams are not having a great year.

Quite possibly no NY market either.

 

[ziggyjoe212]

The NHL is a regional sport, not national. Places like Columbus, Pittsburgh, San Jose will have a high TV viewership for their teams, but drive 1+ hours outside and no one will even know what hockey is. The league should be trying to expand local viewership because they'll never attract viewers from Alabama or Iowa.

 

[Sam Spade]

To be honest I bet the NBC lights candles that Buffalo will get its shit together, they are a ratings juggernaut by NHL standards. Why do you think they get so many national games on NBCsports.

 

[13 others]

Still better than NBA where only 3-4 teams have a shot at winning..... but hey, at least every NBA team have 10 different uniforms, so the people watching on TV think it's new teams.

Nike + NBA = Moron Association

y i k e s

 

[57special]

Canada would be thrilled that any Canadian team would make it into the final, and would tune in for sure. WPG plays an exciting game with lots of star power.

 

[Ms Maggie]

Why ? They get their money whether 5 people watch or 5 million.

It will affect negotiations for future yrs broadcast rights contracts.

 

[LeafFever]

Still better than NBA where only 3-4 teams have a shot at winning..... but hey, at least every NBA team have 10 different uniforms, so the people watching on TV think it's new teams.

Nike + NBA = Moron Association

I hate taht about the NBA as well. But you know what? Their ratings are going up.The NHL wishes they had close to the popularity of the NBA.

 

[heysmilinstrange]

The NHL is a regional sport, not national. Places like Columbus, Pittsburgh, San Jose will have a high TV viewership for their teams, but drive 1+ hours outside and no one will even know what hockey is. The league should be trying to expand local viewership because they'll never attract viewers from Alabama or Iowa.

Iowa has a ton of hockey fans. It's within driving distance of the Wild, the Blackhawks, and the Blues and there are tons of USHL teams here.

 

[Cotton]

Canada would be thrilled that any Canadian team would make it into the final, and would tune in for sure. WPG plays an exciting game with lots of star power.

Absolutely not, no fan base in Canada wants another Canadian team to win it. Everyone will watch, but few actual hockey fans outside of their own fan base will be cheering for them.

 

[Treent1]

oh hello yearly ratings crying thread

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

Florida - Colorado in '96 did better than Detroit - Washington or Detroit - New Jersey.

mind as well do a repeat this year.

Make it happen bettman

 

[jack238923]

The people that think the NBA is lousy at marketing the playoffs are crazy.

 

[Mergatroidskittle]

Still better than NBA where only 3-4 teams have a shot at winning..... but hey, at least every NBA team have 10 different uniforms, so the people watching on TV think it's new teams.

Nike + NBA = Moron Association

Not only is this wrong, it’s stupid

 

[Weast]

Cinderella runs always get attention.

Colorado and Florida this year would both be Cinderella runs

 

[ek93]

I mean, I'll probably watch more games than I usually do this year, thanks to teams like Vegas being in it and teams like Chicago not being in it. Just want something different.

 

[JianYang]

Absolutely not, no fan base in Canada wants another Canadian team to win it. Everyone will watch, but few actual hockey fans outside of their own fan base will be cheering for them.

I think there would be more than a few Canadian fans pulling for the Jets. It's just a good story to see them win it.

 

[Cotton]

I think there would be more than a few Canadian fans pulling for the Jets. It's just a good story to see them win it.

Where’s the good story?

It would be the Canucks 2.0 without a riot.