NHL ratings down again.
With another week of declining NHL ratings, NBC has at least one consolation: for once, the overnight rating cracked a 1.0.
Despite featuring playoff teams from the #1 and #4 markets in the country, NBC drew a 1.1 overnight rating for Rangers/Flyers Sunday, down 15% from last year.
Excluding the Winter Classic on New Year's Day, NBC is averaging a 0.9 overnight for five NHL games, down 18% from the 1.1 NBC averaged through the comparable date last year. When the 2.6 overnight for the Winter Classic is factored in, NBC is averaging a 1.2 rating, up 9%.
The 1.1 overnight made the NHL on NBC the second-lowest rated sporting event of the weekend on broadcast, ahead of only Arena Football on ABC, which drew a 0.8 overnight on Saturday.
Overnight ratings for the NHL on NBC.
2.6: Penguins/Sabres (1/1/08, 1 PM NBC)
1.1: Bruins/Rangers (1/20/08, 12:30 PM NBC)
0.8: Rangers/Canadiens (2/3/08, 2 PM NBC)
0.9: Ducks/Red Wings (2/10/08, 3:30 PM NBC)
0.8: Red Wings/Stars (2/17/08, 3:30 PM NBC)
1.1: Rangers/Flyers (3/2/08, 12:30 PM NBC)
14 comments:
I think its obvious that NBC and the NHL shot themselves in the foot with their "Flex Schedule." Airing only one national game each week, instead of 3 regional games, is suicide for a regional sport like the NHL. This cost-cutting move is really affecting NBC's ratings this year, while the ratings on Versus are way up.
Do people still watch/play that silly little sport? Thought you guys were on strike ....
What hope does the NHL have when the "nobody likes hockey" talking point has been beaten into American's heads? The good news is buried, the bad news is blown far out of proportion, and everything in between gets a negative spin.
As the first commenter points out, are ratings comparisons with last year totally fair when there were three regional games last year and just one national game this year? It obviously cuts down the ratings when instead of having, let's say, New York, Detroit, Philly, Boston Dallas and Pittsburgh as all home teams, you only have two out of those six.
"Do people still watch/play that silly little sport? Thought you guys were on strike ...."
Now where have I seen this joke before? Oh yes, now I remember - every web site on the internet for the last 4 years.
And if you asked Bettman why the NHL essentailly pays to be on NBC, his answer would undoubtably be "we need the exposure." Yet the league continues to stick with versus, which offers no exposure. Not exactly consistent thinking.
Hey SMW, we get it, you don't like hockey and every chance you get to bash it, you do it. What amazes me is that the NBA is jammed down everyone's throat and only gets ratings in the 2's or 3's. At least NBC isn't paying anything for the NHL rights. Wonder if ABC/ESPN is getting a good return on their $700-800 million a year?
hey anonymous 9:46 am, you are another hockey fan who enjoys bashing the NBA..typical..I am so tired of those hockey fans who don't do nothing but bash the NBA and other sports when they try to make a point to defend their sport..anyways, ABC and ESPN renewed their contract to show NBA games and they are happy with the league..and as far as the comment that the NBA is jammed down everyone's throat, please shut up. You obviously are talking out of jealousy since you don't like the NBA. I am sure that you would LOVE to see your beloved hockey to get ratings in the 2's or 3's (and I personally think that getting ratings in the 2's or 3's during a frickin 82-game regular season, especially considering that there are VERY FEW NBA games on broadcast tv, is very positive)..and hey, if you don't like the NBA, it's YOUR LOSS cuz this is one of the best seasons in history and I am having a blast watching it..and apparently many other people seem to think the same.
hockey fans, I have nothing agaist hockey, I just have issues with some hockey fans JAMMING DOWN EVERYONE'S THROAT the fact they don't like the NBA.
Just quit please.
As far as the fact that SMW doesn't like hockey, I don't even know what to say. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not true. But why are you accusing someone to dislike hockey just because he reported that the ratings are down? He does the same thing with the NBA and MLB when the ratings are down, same with college hoops (read the post "March sadness" or something like that). It doesn't mean that he dislikes basketball or baseball. He's just reporting tv ratings in an objective way.
So, hockey fans, calm down.
Well said Anonymous 1:23pm!!!
Methinks that most of my fellow americans have a niggling suspicion that hockey represents somewhat of a throwback to the bad days of american bigotry that most everyone wants to move beyond. The bile infused comments of many (not all) NHL fans against the NBA reprsents more than typical fan trash talk. I'm afraid hockey is the last refuge in sports for that kind - a dying breed and a dying sport - so fitting LOL!
"Methinks that most of my fellow americans have a niggling suspicion that hockey represents somewhat of a throwback to the bad days of american bigotry that most everyone wants to move beyond."
Quite an ignorant statement. That's like saying Americans don't like hockey because they have a fear/hatred of foreigners. But that would be a stupid statement to make because it would be a gross generalization, wouldn't you agree?
By the way, this "dying" sport generated over $2 billion in revenue last year.
Also, a previous poster was right, hockey fans do need to calm down a bit when ratings are mentioned. NHL ratings have always been low, and will most likely always be low. It's popular in a handful of US markets, but will never have a national appeal. Just do what I do, sit back and enjoy the games.
@Anon at 1:27 PM
Objective headline: "NHL on NBC Ratings Improving This Season, Still Down From Last Season."
Negative spin: "NHL ratings down again"
@Anon at 6:54 PM
I'd like to sit back and enjoy, but there are way too many people out there who think that, because they don't like hockey, it's fair game for disrespect and ridicule.
Every sport has their fair share of problems, but only hockey is damned for theirs.
Ice Hockey is to American sports what communism is to American politics - anathema! except to a few weirdos. Now please take your silly little canadian (note the small 'c') and shove off!!!
That was a tad rude I think :_ BUT is'nt it a little dumb to keep hoping for a pick-up in popularity for the NHL and its 'sport'? The problem is not lack of dynamic personalities, poor TV translation of the action, lack of marketing or any other excuse - the simple fact is that the vast majority of us (Americans) simply are not interested in your sport and a large portion of those disinterested actually hate it. In other words we have seen hockey and decided that its not for us - give it up guys! go talk and play among yourselves - oh my bad - you are already doing that LOL!
Baseball has its cheaters who have runined an entire generation. Basketball has it' corupt refs,rapists,overpaid showboaters and still refuses to reconginze the current greatest player in their leauge only due to the fact that he is White.
Football has their dog killer as well as a comishiner that will make sure that if a star player gets into trouble it will not be on tv ecspecially Sportscenter.
Then when it comes to hockey it baffels me how this great, PURE and fast-paced game is so constanly ridiculed. These guys get paid nothing compared to other sports and they dont complain. They love what they do and that kind of pashion you dont see in a 20-year-old rookie, whose pre-maturly making millions in the NBA or NFL. If you dont like the NHL fine its your choice but dont hate it for the wrong reasons.
...If you dont like the NHL fine its your choice but dont hate it for the wrong reasons.....
Its not the wrong reason - its the bigotry that surrounds it and its fans that gives people caution.
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