dalewood12
Registered User
- Oct 9, 2017
- 1,292
- 1,267
I'm curious if ratings take a hit tonight given many Americans will be tuning into news about the happenings in DC.
Considering the markets involved in this cup vs the others that were larger (combined) I'd have to say the new media partners are helping. Especially since cord cutting has impacted all leagues.With all games on broadcast, SCF at four-year high through four games
It is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but Stanley Cup Final viewing levels are nevertheless at a four-year high through four games.www.sportsmediawatch.com
Entering Friday’s potential clincher, the Avalanche-Lightning Stanley Cup Final is averaging 4.18 million viewers on ABC — up two-thirds from Lightning-Canadiens last year (2.22M) and up 1% from Blues-Bruins in 2019, the previous Cup Final to take place in a normal postseason (4.16M). Keep in mind that this year marks the first time ever that the first four games of the Cup Final have aired on broadcast television; prior to this year, at least two of the first four games aired on cable.
This year’s four-game average is the highest since Capitals-Golden Knights in 2018 (4.33M) and the second-highest since Blackhawks-Lightning in 2015 (4.97M). Beyond the cable caveat, keep in mind that out-of-home viewing was not included prior to two years ago.
Since the NHL returned from the 2004-05 owners’ lockout, Avalanche-Lightning ranks sixth out of the 17 total finals over that span — behind 2018, 2015, Kings-Rangers in 2014 (4.66M), Blackhawks-Bruins in 2013 (5.34M) and Blackhawks-Flyers in 2010 (4.24M).
But, but...Vegas vs. Caps: Vegas is only about the 40th largest tv market. So a bit of a handicap there, plus its new fan base.Considering the markets involved in this cup vs the others that were larger (combined) I'd have to say the new media partners are helping. Especially since cord cutting has impacted all leagues.
Game 6 or game 4?It looks like game 5 will come in around 4.5 million. Fast overnight ratings had game 5 at 3.56 million and the real figure ended up at 4.6 million. The overnight for game 6 was 3.44 million which is a little lower. With everything going on with the Supreme Court announcement yesterday it probably affected the number. ABC still won the night for total viewers and 18-49 demo again. Sunday should do very well. Perhaps 6 million?
Thanks, my mistake. Game 4 was a little higher than game 5 in the fast overnight ratings. 3.56 compared to 3.44 million. In the past the the final number is a little over a million higher. Game 4 was 4.6 million so game 5 will likely be around 4.5 million.Game 6 or game 4?
If the Avalanche look like they're gonna win about halfway through the 3rd tonight I'd expect a 6.5-7 million number because of the people tuning in to watch them winAny precdictions for tonight? We have seen game 6 or 7 getting to 6M/7M before without big markets. I think we can get to 6.5M.
Note this wasn’t an issue in past years because NBC, CBS and Fox don’t have a separate Sarasota affiliate only ABC does in the market.Nielsen is recalculating local ratings in Tampa
The issue is there is a second ABC affiliate in the market based in Sarasota that was not included.
Next season when the Finals are on TNT you will see this. ESPN/ABC probably didn't give the NHL the same production budget as the NBA production gets (I mean the NBA does pull significantly better ratings so it makes sense), but I agree I would love to see the Stanley cup final presented as must more of an event then just another broadcast. At least they have an in area presence whereas NBC's Stanley Cup intermission reports were back in the studio just like any regular game. I have confidence we'll see an improvement on this throughout the contracts durationThe NHL needs to do what the NBA finals do to get better ratings. When NBA finals are on, it's a big event. The atmosphere in the pregame is great. We've got festivities outside going on, the arena is electric. they have a 1 hr pregame show.. We see the panel of 4 and sometimes we see Shaq, Barkley, etc.... U feel it's a big event watching the NBA finals on ABC.. like a big party about to happen.
Whereas the NHL is boring.. it starts at 8pm on ABC, no big celebrations, a boring panel with Chelly and Messier.. it just seems sooooo boring compared to NBA.. There's no electricity at all. No energy.. It needs to change fast.. Tuning in to abc is like tuning in to a reg season game on cable.. U can never tell it's a SCF.. Is mcdonough the best ABC can do?? And emily kaplan's stupid dumb questions to the coaches.. We need to change this up.. Where's the big panel with Gretzky? he needs to be there, no chelly and messier only...
lets make it feel like a gm6 SCF is about to happen... Even with NBC it was the same thing each yr. This needs to change.. Bring Gretzky, messier, barkley, shaq etc and start shooting at a goalie. Put Gary bettman in goalie gear and take shots at him.. Do something fun.. This telecast is too boring. And the intermissions are so boring too.. Chelly and mess, with steve levy and brian boucher. Always the same crap. Change it up.. Do something fun in the intermissions. Keep the viewers tuned in.
I’d tell you it’s already a given that Turner will blow ESPN’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals out of the water … based on their coverage of the game this year alone.Next season when the Finals are on TNT you will see this. ESPN/ABC probably didn't give the NHL the same production budget as the NBA production gets (I mean the NBA does pull significantly better ratings so it makes sense), but I agree I would love to see the Stanley cup final presented as must more of an event then just another broadcast. At least they have an in area presence whereas NBC's Stanley Cup intermission reports were back in the studio just like any regular game. I have confidence we'll see an improvement on this throughout the contracts duration
They will probably give it about the same amount as this year as they still have the “priority rights” for rounds 1-3 and will have rights to subsequent years. It doesn’t really benefit them to “bury it” in odd years.I’d tell you it’s already a given that Turner will blow ESPN’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals out of the water … based on their coverage of the game this year alone.
The biggest issue we (and the NHL) should be concerned about, is how much outside coverage is ESPN going to devote to the NHL next year, since they don’t have the rights to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Agreed - it doesn't make sense to draw back their coverage because they don't have the cup. They still have ESPN+ to grow and the playoffs.They will probably give it about the same amount as this year as they still have the “priority rights” for rounds 1-3 and will have rights to subsequent years. It doesn’t really benefit them to “bury it” in odd years.
But all the complaints are accurate. It feeds into the narrative that they are trying to cover things in the cheap.
The broadcast tonight is awful. On the second Colorado goal they don’t show a replay of the controversial hook on Bellemare until after the subsequent commercial.
(Long and meandering post)I will give ESPN credit for saying on the celebration and the aftermath for more than 40 minutes until the broadcast ended. NBC only showed about 10 minutes and went straight to local news. That alone at shows me they at least made it seemed like an important event.
Those are great numbers. If only the series had made it to game 7 the viewership numbers would be insane.Game 6 numbers