NHL TV ratings 2023/2024

[LadyStanley]

 

[4mats4]

Series breakdown by average viewership:

Bruins-Leafs: 1,543,857 average for 7 games
Rangers-Capitals: 1,139,750 average for 4 games
Stars-Knights: 1,132,429 average for 7 games
Panthers-Lightning: 822,400 average for 5 games
Avalanche-Jets: 789,800 average for 5 games
Hurricanes-Islanders: 662,000 average for 5 games
Canucks-Predators: 582,833 average for 6 games
Oilers-Kings: 477,000 average for 5 games

 

[GKJ]

 

[Reaser]

1.992M for the 4-digit for Hurricanes-Rangers Game 1

 

[NextBigThing]

Huh? The game was on ABC not ESPN. Let’s actually use legit sources here. Not random twitter accounts.

 

[GKJ]

For clarifications sake, when ESPN programming airs on ABC, it becomes an ESPN network. That is consistent with how ESPN reports it because the deal with the NHL is not with ABC, it is with ESPN. ABC is simply where the games may air, as “ESPN on ABC” or something like it (“NHL on ESPN”).



Folks here may notice, in ESPN’s own PR, they do not mention that it had aired on ABC. What they would do if it hadn’t is say that it was a record ‘on cable.’

 

[Reaser]

Last night:

Bruins-Panthers: 1.8M

 

[S E P H]

The BOS/TOR game is good when it comes to the average viewers, but is quite beastly when it comes to the number it peaked at. I know that info is useless, but it shows that it had hype even if it was not able to sustain it.

For clarifications sake, when ESPN programming airs on ABC, it becomes an ESPN network. That is consistent with how ESPN reports it because the deal with the NHL is not with ABC, it is with ESPN. ABC is simply where the games may air, as “ESPN on ABC” or something like it (“NHL on ESPN”).



Folks here may notice, in ESPN’s own PR, they do not mention that it had aired on ABC. What they would do if it hadn’t is say that it was a record ‘on cable.’

Great point here, which I believe is due to the fact that this game did not beat the 2012 Bruins/Caps game on NBC (which is non-cable). I don't recall that 2012 game, what was so valuable about it to get such a high view count? Besides it being a match-up between two American teams instead of 1 USA/1 Canada like this 2024 one was.

 

[GKJ]

The BOS/TOR game is good when it comes to the average viewers, but is quite beastly when it comes to the number it peaked at. I know that info is useless, but it shows that it had hype even if it was not able to sustain it.


Great point here, which I believe is due to the fact that this game did not beat the 2012 Bruins/Caps game on NBC (which is non-cable). I don't recall that 2012 game, what was so valuable about it to get such a high view count? Besides it being a match-up between two American teams instead of 1 USA/1 Canada like this 2024 one was.

Probably because ESPN is way better at promotion and publicizing their product than NBC is, along with it being Game 7. I don’t think NBC ever has Game 7’s on a weekend. I’m guessing NBC didn’t like the uncertainty. If you notice, ESPN and TNT wait longer to announce start times as well.

 

[Fenway]

The BOS/TOR game is good when it comes to the average viewers, but is quite beastly when it comes to the number it peaked at. I know that info is useless, but it shows that it had hype even if it was not able to sustain it.


Great point here, which I believe is due to the fact that this game did not beat the 2012 Bruins/Caps game on NBC (which is non-cable). I don't recall that 2012 game, what was so valuable about it to get such a high view count? Besides it being a match-up between two American teams instead of 1 USA/1 Canada like this 2024 one was.

The 2012 NBC game in question was on a Sunday afternoon just 24 hours after Game 5 and suddenly the 2011 Cup champs could be eliminated after Boston lost Game 5.

Boston won that Game 6 only to lose Game 7 in OT that was on NBCSN and the local RSNs as well.

 

[Fenway]

Five million watch Leafs do their Game Seven thing against Bruins – brioux.tv

brioux.tv

Sportsnet gambled 10 years ago they could get a few long Toronto playoff runs and it didn't happen. The harsh reality of Canadian English TV is even if Vancouver or Edmonton makes the SCF they will not come close to matching these numbers.

The NHL will be hard-pressed to match what Rogers is currently paying in the new contract that kicks in for 2026-2027.

 

[Fenway]

I don’t think NBC ever has Game 7’s on a weekend. I’m guessing NBC didn’t like the uncertainty. If you notice, ESPN and TNT wait longer to announce start times as well.

NBC was always leery of prime-time games on Saturday night into May because of

On nights SNL was in a rerun there was no issue but on nights they were going live at 11:30 PM ET there was tension.

Still, the ABC numbers are astonishing given they had less than 45 hours to promote it. I suspect the ratings in Boston, Providence, Manchester, Springfield and Portland. ME were large.

Disney has to be drooling over a possible Boston/New York matchup in Round 3 for both the NHL and NBA.

 

[Anisimovs AK]

Wonder if the Vancouver-Edmonton series will average over 1 million viewers with two canadian teams

 

[Kirk Van Houten]

Wonder if the Vancouver-Edmonton series will average over 1 million viewers with two canadian teams

The Battle of Alberta a couple of years ago had 990K of avg if I remember well

 

[4mats4]

The NHL will be hard-pressed to match what Rogers is currently paying in the new contract that kicks in for 2026-2027.

I wonder if TSN and Sportsnet will do a joint deal

 

[Reaser]

Last night:

Bruins-Panthers: 1.8M

Bruins-Panthers: 1.847M

For the full #.

 

[Reaser]

I wonder if TSN and Sportsnet will do a joint deal

FWIW, a week ago today the CEO of Rogers was at some club luncheon and said the NHL deal has been a "terrific deal for [Rogers.]" Which, ha, but also goes against the doomsday predictions.

Also said re: upcoming negotiations: "it's something we're very interested in and something we will chase and certainly expect to be at the table."

 

[Chileiceman]

Expected a bit more on the Bruins game 7. Really good numbers for the VGK - DAL game 7.

Especially since it was non-exclusive.

 

[ForumNamePending]

Five million watch Leafs do their Game Seven thing against Bruins – brioux.tv

brioux.tv

Sportsnet gambled 10 years ago they could get a few long Toronto playoff runs and it didn't happen. The harsh reality of Canadian English TV is even if Vancouver or Edmonton makes the SCF they will not come close to matching these numbers.

The NHL will be hard-pressed to match what Rogers is currently paying in the new contract that kicks in for 2026-2027.

I dunno... The '11 final with Vancouver produced some pretty big numbers (looks like games averaged between ~5.5 - ~8.5), so while the Leafs are the viewership ubergods, other teams/markets can pull in a large amount of viewers.

But ya, in general, Rogers has been unlucky throughout the length of the contract. Even the one year they got Montreal in the final was also a weird COVID year where pretty much all sports viewership was tanking hard. The NHL certainly isn't doing Rogers any favours this round... Vancouver/Edmonton Sunday starting @ 9:30PM ET... lulz

As far as the next Canadian media deal goes... I dunno, from what we know/heard, it probably doesn't make sense to expect an increase, but media rights across the board have gone goofy, and don't seem to make sense, so...

 

[S E P H]

Which, ha, but also goes against the doomsday predictions.

I mean, he was never going to criticise it in public.

 

[Reaser]

I mean, he was never going to criticise it in public.

Right, was tying in to the second part of the quote where he said "very interested" and going to "chase." As opposed to something more token, and opposed to the doomsday: "no one is going to bid on Canadian rights. Rogers got killed on this deal, they're out. CBC is broke, TSN only wants regional rights ..." etc. that gets bandied around the forum.

Most of us has said/hypothesized it's likely to be a split package with streaming component, similar in practice to the current U.S. deal.

 

[Reaser]

I dunno... The '11 final with Vancouver produced some pretty big numbers (looks like games averaged between ~5.5 - ~8.5), so while the Leafs are the viewership ubergods, other teams/markets can pull in a large amount of viewers.

I believe Game 7 of that series still has the "on record" record for most-watched game in NA (across the U.S. and Canada.) 18.2M or 18.3M depending on source.

Also believe the series has the record for most-watched SCF across the U.S. and Canada, on record.

 

[DaBadGuy7]

I dunno... The '11 final with Vancouver produced some pretty big numbers (looks like games averaged between ~5.5 - ~8.5), so while the Leafs are the viewership ubergods, other teams/markets can pull in a large amount of viewers.

But ya, in general, Rogers has been unlucky throughout the length of the contract. Even the one year they got Montreal in the final was also a weird COVID year where pretty much all sports viewership was tanking hard. The NHL certainly isn't doing Rogers any favours this round... Vancouver/Edmonton Sunday starting @ 9:30PM ET... lulz

As far as the next Canadian media deal goes... I dunno, from what we know/heard, it probably doesn't make sense to expect an increase, but media rights across the board have gone goofy, and don't seem to make sense, so...

One word: Amazon. If Amazon wants to further have rights in Canada (and the US in the future), they could throw billions to continue to have the Monday games as well playoff games in Canada.

 

[Anisimovs AK]

Huh? The game was on ABC not ESPN. Let’s actually use legit sources here. Not random twitter accounts.

ESPN hasnt used ABC Sports branding since 2007.

If you werent such an idiot or obvious troll account you would know that.

 

[ForumNamePending]

Ya, if I had to make a prediction I would guess the next deal includes Rogers, Bell, and a third party (I guess given recent news Amazon would seem to have interest), and combined the NHL will get a bump... It very obviously won't be the 250% or whatever increase the league got last time, but it will be something. I'm basing this on not much than vibes though, so...

As I type this one thing that did pop into my head... Last time the Canadian rights were being hammered out there seemed to be a decent chance of an additional team, or even two, showing up in Canada. Additional teams means additional content... I wonder if there was any speculation going on along those lines that helped to goose up what the various bidders, and ultimately Rogers, was willing to pay? A decade or so later, and it would appear that if anything, the Canadian market is going to be marginalized in the coming years, I wonder if that will have an impact?