NHL/hockey TV ratings 2024-25

[Golden_Jet]

This was just a small sample, last year, how its been the last 5 to 10 years say. Maybe someone has
some data, i dont have the time or energy to search that out(for now)

Ahh just in the US, ok makes sense I guess.
Don’t really care how NBA does, don’t watch basketball.

 

[Reaser]

-NHL on ABC avg viewership Saturday-

Rangers-Capitals: 1.1M

-NHL on ABC avg viewership Sunday-

Rangers-Blackhawks: 454k

 

[Coinneach]

(via @jheaps4)

NHL on ABC:

January:

Rangers-Capitals: 1.1M
Rangers-Blackhawks: 454k

Cable:

October:

Blues-Kraken: 348k (ESPN)
Bruins-Panthers: 790k (ESPN, non-exclusive)
Blackhawks-Utah: 522k (ESPN)
Rangers-Penguins: 467k (TNT+truTV)
Avalanche-Golden Knights 315k (TNT+truTV)
Wild-Blues: 417k (ESPN)
Flyers-Oilers: 333k (ESPN)
Sabres-Penguins: 512k (TNT+truTV)
Bruins-Avalanche: 340k (TNT+truTV)
Capitals-Flyers: 477k (ESPN)
Avalanche-Kraken: 422k (ESPN)
Kings-Golden Knights: 245k (ESPN)
Flyers-Capitals: 410k (TNT+truTV)
Rangers-Capitals: 412k (ESPN)
Kings-Sharks: 186k (ESPN)
Golden Knights-Kings: 109k (TNT+truTV)

November:

Red Wings-Blackhawks: 411k (TNT+truTV)
Red Wings-Penguins: 354k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Kings-Avalanche 231k (TNT+truTV)
Hurricanes-Flyers: 237k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Predators-Kraken: 155k (TNT+truTV)
Capitals-Lightning: 268k (TNT)
Golden Knights-Avalanche: 207k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Penguins-Bruins: 483k (TNT+truTV)
Avalanche-Stars: 177k (TNT+truTV)

December:

Bruins-Blackhawks: 487k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Stars-Kings: 232k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Rangers-Sabres 478k (TNT+truTV)
Flyers-Red Wings 418k (TNT+truTV)
Panthers-Wild 161k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Blackhawks-Sabres: 245k (ESPN2)
Avalanche-Utah: 258k (ESPN2)
Stars-Blackhawks: 217k (ESPN)
Blues-Blackhawks: 920k (Winter Classic, TNT+truTV)

 

[Reaser]

-Winter Classic on TNT avg viewership Tuesday-

Blues-Blackhawks: 920k (TNT & truTV)

Least-viewed Winter Classic to-date.

Just noticed I forgot to add the split, for those interested:

TNT: 843k
truTV: 77k

 

[Greatzsky 99]

-NHL on ABC avg viewership Saturday-

Rangers-Capitals: 1.1M

-NHL on ABC avg viewership Sunday-

Rangers-Blackhawks: 454k

Missed that it was 2 games on ABC this weekend, good on Saturday, but it must been something
special with game on Sunday? Some of these Bowls games? or was it blacked out in Chicago and New York? even if the teams arent that good now, 454k on ABC seems low.

777k avg

Total avg now 383k

 

[4mats4]

Missed that it was 2 games on ABC this weekend, good on Saturday, but it must been something
special with game on Sunday? Some of these Bowls games? or was it blacked out in Chicago and New York? even if the teams arent that good now, 454k on ABC seems low.

777k avg

Total avg now 383k

Last week of the NFL regular season probably tanked the Sunday rating. I mean the ending of Bears-Packers was happening as the game started and I'm sure much of Chicago was tuned into to watch the Bears beat their blood rivals. Plus the Rangers were (surprisingly) blowing out the Blackhawks so I'm sure people either left the game early, or saw the score and didn't bother turning it on.

Really solid number for Saturday though

 

[Greatzsky 99]

Thanks

Last week of the NFL regular season probably tanked the Sunday rating. I mean the ending of Bears-Packers was happening as the game started and I'm sure much of Chicago was tuned into to watch the Bears beat their blood rivals. Plus the Rangers were (surprisingly) blowing out the Blackhawks so I'm sure people either left the game early, or saw the score and didn't bother turning it on.

Really solid number for Saturday though

Thanks for the insights!

 

[joelef]

Last week of the NFL regular season probably tanked the Sunday rating. I mean the ending of Bears-Packers was happening as the game started and I'm sure much of Chicago was tuned into to watch the Bears beat their blood rivals. Plus the Rangers were (surprisingly) blowing out the Blackhawks so I'm sure people either left the game early, or saw the score and didn't bother turning it on.

Really solid number for Saturday though

As usual the excuses come out

 

[Lt Frank Drebin]

As usual the excuses come out

Excuses or reasons? Obviously going up against the nfl is a reason for lower ratings.

 

[DaBadGuy7]

 

[Chileiceman]

I can't think of another time they had over the air hockey going head to head vs NFL. That's just madness to do.

 

[Greatzsky 99]

283K for TNT portion of Avs-Blackhawks, but haven’t seen anything else

source: Jon Lewis

 

[Chileiceman]

This is maybe a question for another thread, but I'm looking at these horrible ratings and am wondering if you guys think that we have hit the peak the value of sports media rights? TV numbers will just continue to decline by virtue of the fact that fewer and fewer people have linear television. I've not subscribed to linear TV in 11 years. Will enough cord cutters watch through legal streaming to push media entities to continue paying the exorbitant prices they pay now? Streaming already has really struggled with profitability, and this is before the age of more of the value of media rights being streaming vs linear. Will throwing money at sport leagues lead to enough added subscriptions to offset the crazy money streamers will spend on rights? I include things like ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, Max in here as well, not just the exclusive streamers like Prime, Netflix, Apple.

 

[joelef]

This is maybe a question for another thread, but I'm looking at these horrible ratings and am wondering if you guys think that we have hit the peak the value of sports media rights? TV numbers will just continue to decline by virtue of the fact that fewer and fewer people have linear television. I've not subscribed to linear TV in 11 years. Will enough cord cutters watch through legal streaming to push media entities to continue paying the exorbitant prices they pay now? Streaming already has really struggled with profitability, and this is before the age of more of the value of media rights being streaming vs linear. Will throwing money at sport leagues lead to enough added subscriptions to offset the crazy money streamers will spend on rights? I include things like ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, Max in here as well, not just the exclusive streamers like Prime, Netflix, Apple.

No it’s the nhl terrible marketing

 

[varsaku]

This is maybe a question for another thread, but I'm looking at these horrible ratings and am wondering if you guys think that we have hit the peak the value of sports media rights? TV numbers will just continue to decline by virtue of the fact that fewer and fewer people have linear television. I've not subscribed to linear TV in 11 years. Will enough cord cutters watch through legal streaming to push media entities to continue paying the exorbitant prices they pay now? Streaming already has really struggled with profitability, and this is before the age of more of the value of media rights being streaming vs linear. Will throwing money at sport leagues lead to enough added subscriptions to offset the crazy money streamers will spend on rights? I include things like ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, Max in here as well, not just the exclusive streamers like Prime, Netflix, Apple.

Everyone but the NFL are reaching their peaks. The only wild card is how much risk are streamers willing to take to throw at other leagues to draw subscribers.

 

[Reaser]

283K for TNT portion of Avs-Blackhawks, but haven’t seen anything else

source: Jon Lewis

183k for Panthers-Utah, presume I'll have the TNT/truTV split tonight though stuff has been delayed lately -- hence, why this # was nowhere until today.

 

[4mats4]

This is maybe a question for another thread, but I'm looking at these horrible ratings and am wondering if you guys think that we have hit the peak the value of sports media rights? TV numbers will just continue to decline by virtue of the fact that fewer and fewer people have linear television. I've not subscribed to linear TV in 11 years. Will enough cord cutters watch through legal streaming to push media entities to continue paying the exorbitant prices they pay now? Streaming already has really struggled with profitability, and this is before the age of more of the value of media rights being streaming vs linear. Will throwing money at sport leagues lead to enough added subscriptions to offset the crazy money streamers will spend on rights? I include things like ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, Max in here as well, not just the exclusive streamers like Prime, Netflix, Apple.

Values for sports media will likely always rise due to the fact that sports are the truly last "must see TV" (appointment viewing) and will always remain that way. Advertisers will pay top dollar to run ads on sports because people will watch through ad breaks to continue watching the game and people in the key advertising demographic (25 to 54 year olds) tune in to watch sports in higher percentages compared to other types of content. Right now broadcasting companies, despite decreasing cable subscriber numbers, are making way too much money to fully back out of cable deals and solely stream content. The switch to streaming instead of cable (and by cable I literally mean the content deliverance method of a cable box) will happen at some point, whether that's in 2 years, 5 years or 10 years, however companies cannot just abandon the large amounts of money cable contracts are bringing in right now, way more than anything made via streaming exclusives. Broadcasters, while not being extremely profitable with it at the moment, are making steps into the streaming world (a la the NHL's deal with ESPN+ and their exclusives and TNT's Max simulcasts) so that the framework is there when the switch to streaming only is made. Plus broadcasters will pay top dollar for these rights to try and keep good relationships with the sports leagues so they can retain exclusivity when the full time streaming model is adopted. Plus once the switch to streaming is made, broadcasters will make money from in game ad breaks and from streaming subscription prices, which is essentially the same as in game ads and cable subscription price breakouts so they'll be fine when all the dust settles.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Values for sports media will likely always rise due to the fact that sports are the truly last "must see TV" (appointment viewing) and will always remain that way. Advertisers will pay top dollar to run ads on sports because people will watch through ad breaks to continue watching the game and people in the key advertising demographic (25 to 54 year olds) tune in to watch sports in higher percentages compared to other types of content. Right now broadcasting companies, despite decreasing cable subscriber numbers, are making way too much money to fully back out of cable deals and solely stream content. The switch to streaming instead of cable (and by cable I literally mean the content deliverance method of a cable box) will happen at some point, whether that's in 2 years, 5 years or 10 years, however companies cannot just abandon the large amounts of money cable contracts are bringing in right now, way more than anything made via streaming exclusives. Broadcasters, while not being extremely profitable with it at the moment, are making steps into the streaming world (a la the NHL's deal with ESPN+ and their exclusives and TNT's Max simulcasts) so that the framework is there when the switch to streaming only is made. Plus broadcasters will pay top dollar for these rights to try and keep good relationships with the sports leagues so they can retain exclusivity when the full time streaming model is adopted. Plus once the switch to streaming is made, broadcasters will make money from in game ad breaks and from streaming subscription prices, which is essentially the same as in game ads and cable subscription price breakouts so they'll be fine when all the dust settles.

Exclusivity is a thing of the past, moving forward.
It’s already shown that you need to subscribe to more services, than in the past, to get all the games.

 

[4mats4]

Exclusivity is a thing of the past, moving forward.
It’s already shown that you need to subscribe to more services, than in the past, to get all the games.

When I say exclusivity, I mean a streamer will get exclusive games as part of a multi streamer deal, like how it works now with different channels getting exclusive games

 

[Golden_Jet]

When I say exclusivity, I mean a streamer will get exclusive games as part of a multi streamer deal, like how it works now with different channels getting exclusive games

I don’t call that exclusivity, but sure ok.

 

[Reaser]

I don’t call that exclusivity, but sure ok.

He was using the correct parlance.

For examples:

Disney's press release before this season: "The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games ..."

The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ABC and Hulu Beginning October 8

ESPN and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) today announced its 2024-25 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season schedule, with 100 exclusive games across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ABC and Hulu. Additionally, ESPN and TWDC will present the NHL Opening Night tripleheader, 4 Nations Face-Off, 2025 Navy...

espnpressroom.com

Same with WBD: Throughout the press release can see "exclusive" used, like with the 25 Wednesday nights, Winter Classic, etc.. But note it's not used for their 62'game schedule because not all 62 games are exclusive.

NHL on TNT Reveals Blockbuster 62-Game Schedule for 2024-25 NHL Season, Starting Wednesday, Oct. 9

TNT Sports will enter its fourth season of live NHL on TNT coverage with a 62-game regular season schedule, starting with superstar Sidney Crosby — in his

press.wbd.com

Same with daily, like tonight, the proper phrasing for the Panthers-Devils games on ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+ tonight is: "Panthers play the Devils tonight exclusively on ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+."

Also can note ESPN PR release for their three exclusive games this week: "Three Exclusive NHL Games This Week on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu"

Three Exclusive NHL Games This Week on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu

The NHL season continues this week with three exclusive games on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. Game action begins Tuesday, January 14, as the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and Sam Reinhart take on the New Jersey Devils and Jack Hughes at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu.

espnpressroom.com

 

[Golden_Jet]

Also can note ESPN PR release for their three exclusive games this week: "Three Exclusive NHL Games This Week on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu"

I don’t really care tbh, it was just an observation.
The bolded above does not read as exclusive to me, when there are 3-4 options listed.

Maybe it’s just because the US has so many different ways to subscribe.
I always like to get all 1,312 games, no idea how many subscriptions I would need for that in the US. Any idea?

 

[Reaser]

I don’t really care tbh, it was just an observation.
The bolded above does not read as exclusive to me, when there are 3-4 options listed.

Maybe it’s just because the US has so many different ways to subscribe.
I always like to get all 1,312 games, no idea how many subscriptions I would need for that in the US. Any idea?

Was just a teaching moment. "Exclusive" is used the same way in Canada with Amazon Prime Video's "exclusive" Monday NIght Hockey games.

I like to have all games as well. And I've never minded paying for something I enjoy. So I have DirecTV with Center Ice and I have ESPN+. That gives me all the games.

Might be the only person to have both Center Ice and ESPN+ but it's ease-of-use for me. With 4 TVs it's easier to put games on what TV I want and flip games quicker, etc., having Center Ice.

 

[varsaku]

Values for sports media will likely always rise due to the fact that sports are the truly last "must see TV" (appointment viewing) and will always remain that way. Advertisers will pay top dollar to run ads on sports because people will watch through ad breaks to continue watching the game and people in the key advertising demographic (25 to 54 year olds) tune in to watch sports in higher percentages compared to other types of content. Right now broadcasting companies, despite decreasing cable subscriber numbers, are making way too much money to fully back out of cable deals and solely stream content. The switch to streaming instead of cable (and by cable I literally mean the content deliverance method of a cable box) will happen at some point, whether that's in 2 years, 5 years or 10 years, however companies cannot just abandon the large amounts of money cable contracts are bringing in right now, way more than anything made via streaming exclusives. Broadcasters, while not being extremely profitable with it at the moment, are making steps into the streaming world (a la the NHL's deal with ESPN+ and their exclusives and TNT's Max simulcasts) so that the framework is there when the switch to streaming only is made. Plus broadcasters will pay top dollar for these rights to try and keep good relationships with the sports leagues so they can retain exclusivity when the full time streaming model is adopted. Plus once the switch to streaming is made, broadcasters will make money from in game ad breaks and from streaming subscription prices, which is essentially the same as in game ads and cable subscription price breakouts so they'll be fine when all the dust settles.

I don't believe viewership numbers on streaming will truly offset the numbers that even with the decreasing numbers that cable is able to pull. Even NFL pulls lower numbers on streaming exclusive games.

 

[4mats4]

I don't believe viewership numbers on streaming will truly offset the numbers that even with the decreasing numbers that cable is able to pull. Even NFL pulls lower numbers on streaming exclusive games.

I'm not so sure about that. Yeah the TNF numbers don't match what they did before Amazon, however, once the shift to streaming being the only option available happens (and unfortunately to say, once a lot of the older population who doesn't understand streaming passes away) I think you'll see the numbers even out. As people have stated, people are reluctant to pay for streaming services right now because it's like the wild f***ing west out there right now, however, i have to imagine that things will start to condense and streamline and become a more digestible product for people to pay for. Regardless of numbers, to answer the original question sports rights fees are still going to grow because nothing can pull numbers in the advertising demo like live sports can