NHL/hockey TV ratings 2024-25

[jkrdevil]

The next tv deal needs to have more of a flex scheduling feature. Allow the national networks to be able to flex an additional game or 2 per team in the last 2 months from the RSNs. The TNT and ESPN schedules down the stretch outside the Ovie chase have been horrible.

 

[Reaser]

The next tv deal needs to have more of a flex scheduling feature. Allow the national networks to be able to flex an additional game or 2 per team in the last 2 months from the RSNs. The TNT and ESPN schedules down the stretch outside the Ovie chase have been horrible.

There should be some 'flex' built into the schedule for the final week or two but I always have two immediate thoughts -- and it's not directed at you since obviously you understand how these things work, but when my replies are filled with it on X or I see it elsewhere online. Putting aside the asinine thinking where they think the NHL can have flex scheduling like the NFL (completely different schedule) or even like the NBA (non-exclusive games don't hurt the NBA.)

1. Bugs me that it's a cop-out for bad scheduling. A chunk of the issues would be solved with just a minimal amount of effort put into the U.S. national broadcast schedule. For example, don't schedule teams that literally everyone knows/predicts will miss the playoffs for national broadcasts late in the season. Issue starts on the front-end with the original putting together of the U.S. national broadcast schedule. How it seems like that's ignored when responses are "need flex scheduling" comes off as letting the league and it's U.S. rights partners off the hook.

2. Which circles back to how poorly they schedule games to start with. "Flex' doesn't automatically mean they're going to pick the 'correct' games.

3. Neither Caps-Jackets (2nd least-viewed "ABC Hockey Saturday" game on record) nor Panthers-Lightning (237k, a worse # than they likely would have otherwise got staying with the originally scheduled game) were on the original schedule. Obviously the former was changed for Ovi-chase well in advance but the Panthers-Lightning was a late-change, an example of how flexing would work and how fans want it to work, and look at all the issues it caused.

-They didn't pick the game with playoff implications (because it was the Jackets so this circles back to "do you trust them to pick the games?")
-They had to accept a co-exist to show the game they did choose.
-Late 'flex' caused the Isles to announce change to the start-time of the game late so not ideal for fans attending the game/plans.
-Late 'flex' caused the Isles regional broadcast to be on the team app & website.
-Again, they likely ended up with worse viewership in the end so a lot of headaches for no payoff, at best.

"Flex scheduling" isn't the magic elixir some believe it is/would be when it comes to viewership numbers. Nor does it guarantee we'd see the games a league 'should' be showing -- e.g. teams fighting for last playoff spot(s).

 

[DaBadGuy7]

Despite Bettman’s insistence, I do think the playoff format especially this season hurt the TV ratings late in the season. Besides the Canadiens and Blues late surges, the matchups were essentially locked in since about February. I think it will hurt the ratings in Rounds 2 and 3 especially if certain teams are gone. I think 1-8 seeding will return, it just a matter of if the PA wants it bad enough or if the something like the BOG or networks insist on it.

 

[Reaser]

re: Flex schedule. It should probably be "wild card selections."

Which would be helped if the end of the season schedule made more sense. For example ending on Wednesday which helps with weekend playoff start scheduling. And having either division or conference end on the same day. e.g. Metro division ends up Tuesday, all division matchups at 7pmET, All regional broadcasters planning to broadcast their game then ESPN just picks the one they want/in a perfect world (which this likely wouldn't be) NHL works with ESPN to guarantee they pick the game with most playoff implications. Then repeat the same process with the Atlantic division on Wednesday with TNT at 7pmET. Can even expand that out to the final 2-3 weeks of the regular season and can even do that with ABC Saturday (Disney picks afternoon game(s) for ABC, all others revert to Saturday night) and TNT Sunday games.

 

[Reaser]

Despite Bettman’s insistence, I do think the playoff format especially this season hurt the TV ratings late in the season. Besides the Canadiens and Blues late surges, the matchups were essentially locked in since about February. I think it will hurt the ratings in Rounds 2 and 3 especially if certain teams are gone. I think 1-8 seeding will return, it just a matter of if the PA wants it bad enough or if the something like the BOG or networks insist on it.

I think before anything you would have to start with the obvious. Literally first time all four U.S. 06 teams missed the playoffs. And can expand that by including the two "Second Six" ETZ teams. That's essentially the 'Big 6' U.S. teams. All six, some done well before others but that's a clear if not the clear issue.

In the last month of the regular season the Red Wings had 5 national games, Penguins had 4, Rangers had 3, Bruins had 2 and Blackhawks & Flyers each had one. Three non-exclusives & two co-exists included in those games (nice scheduling.)

Rangers & Bruins a surprise. Red Wings can say they had hope. Everyone thought the Hawks would suck, even their own fans. Only Pens fans had any hope for them and everyone else figured they'd be a non-factor and then you have the Flyers who predictably weren't going anywhere fast. Yet, they all had those national broadcasts scheduled for the final 4 and a half weeks of the season. So per usual, it goes back to scheduling as issue #1.

That also doesn't include the Kraken & Ducks each having a pair of national broadcast appearances in that timespan, and the Sharks having a national game, as well.

^ There is what hurt the ratings.

I'm indifferent on 1-8, I generally find most people default to the format that was in place when they first started watching hockey and/or what they grew up with. In other words, I like Smythe/Norris/Adams/Patrick Top-4 in each division playoffs because that's what it was when I first started watching the NHL. I still think 92/93 is the best season in NHL history. It is, and because I was 9 years old.

Also, think most of the 'playoff race' is usually about the last spots and fighting for those and not exactly a huge difference between race for 7 and 8 in 1-8 v. race for WC1 and WC2 in the current format.

Regardless, may be something there but I think you start with the markets that aren't in the playoffs and have been "not making the playoffs" teams for a while, if not all season in a couple cases, along with the usual reasoning of poor U.S. national broadcast scheduling from the jump.

 

[Reaser]

^obvious but just in case, I excluded ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+ exclusives from the above when talking about teams national appearances, since the topic was ratings (viewership) and those don't apply.

Anyway, narrative of Stanley Cup Playoff viewership, at least for the first round, will come down to whether or not Canada is ignored. Will be by most U.S. reporting because anything 'bad' in regards to the NHL gets a lot more clicks than if they point out/include the #'s in Canada for Leafs-Sens, Habs on TVAS, etc..

Tis a two-country league.

 

[Anisimovs AK]

^obvious but just in case, I excluded ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+ exclusives from the above when talking about teams national appearances, since the topic was ratings (viewership) and those don't apply.

Anyway, narrative of Stanley Cup Playoff viewership, at least for the first round, will come down to whether or not Canada is ignored. Will be by most U.S. reporting because anything 'bad' in regards to the NHL gets a lot more clicks than if they point out/include the #'s in Canada for Leafs-Sens, Habs on TVAS, etc..

Tis a two-country league.

Id bet the league will continue to do their "viewers across North America" schtick that they did for last year's playoffs and the 4 Nations Tournament

 

[DaBadGuy7]

I think before anything you would have to start with the obvious. Literally first time all four U.S. 06 teams missed the playoffs. And can expand that by including the two "Second Six" ETZ teams. That's essentially the 'Big 6' U.S. teams. All six, some done well before others but that's a clear if not the clear issue.

In the last month of the regular season the Red Wings had 5 national games, Penguins had 4, Rangers had 3, Bruins had 2 and Blackhawks & Flyers each had one. Three non-exclusives & two co-exists included in those games (nice scheduling.)

Rangers & Bruins a surprise. Red Wings can say they had hope. Everyone thought the Hawks would suck, even their own fans. Only Pens fans had any hope for them and everyone else figured they'd be a non-factor and then you have the Flyers who predictably weren't going anywhere fast. Yet, they all had those national broadcasts scheduled for the final 4 and a half weeks of the season. So per usual, it goes back to scheduling as issue #1.

That also doesn't include the Kraken & Ducks each having a pair of national broadcast appearances in that timespan, and the Sharks having a national game, as well.

^ There is what hurt the ratings.

I'm indifferent on 1-8, I generally find most people default to the format that was in place when they first started watching hockey and/or what they grew up with. In other words, I like Smythe/Norris/Adams/Patrick Top-4 in each division playoffs because that's what it was when I first started watching the NHL. I still think 92/93 is the best season in NHL history. It is, and because I was 9 years old.

Also, think most of the 'playoff race' is usually about the last spots and fighting for those and not exactly a huge difference between race for 7 and 8 in 1-8 v. race for WC1 and WC2 in the current format.

Regardless, may be something there but I think you start with the markets that aren't in the playoffs and have been "not making the playoffs" teams for a while, if not all season in a couple cases, along with the usual reasoning of poor U.S. national broadcast scheduling from the jump.

The NHL/US media partners being over reliant on the Legacy US markets and PIT/PHI/BUF is a whole another issue, but it is a pretty obvious one. I prefer 1-8 for the simple fact that there intrigue where teams are seeding related to matchups. I saw that down the stretch with the NBA Western Conference. Does that lead to better ratings down the stretch, I’m not sure. But at least there is down juice into the playoffs instead of matchups locked in by ASB.

 

[Coinneach]

(via @jheaps4)

NHL on ABC:

January:

Rangers-Capitals: 1.1M
Rangers-Blackhawks: 454k
Bruins - Panthers 1,05M


February:

Blackhawks-Panthers: 723k
Rangers-Bruins: 1.1M
Lightning-Red Wings: 934k
Golden Knights-Bruins: 1.27M
Capitals-Penguins 1.1M
Wild-Red Wings 944k

March:

Bruins-Penguins: 1.1M
Kraken-Flyers: 580k
Bruins-Lightning: 777k
Devils-Penguins: 604k
Red Wings-Golden Knights: 687k
Bruins-Red Wings: 826k

April:

Rangers-Devils: 934k
Penguins-Stars: 815k
Capitals-Blue Jackets: 547k
Rangers-Hurricanes: 519k


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)

January:

Avalanche-Blackhawks 283k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Panthers - Utah 183k (TNT)
Red Wings-Panthers: 507k (ESPN)
Oilers-Avalanche 389k (ESPN)
Hurricanes-Sabres: 259k (TNT+truTV)
Oilers-Wild: 324k (TNT+truTV)
Panthers-Kings: 151k (TNT+truTV)
Golden Knights-Stars: 424k (ESPN)
Flyers-Devils: 253k (TNT+truTV)
Penguins-Utah: 138k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)

February:

Sharks-Kraken: 175k (ESPN)
Bruins-Rangers: 537k (TNT+truTV)
Oilers-Blackhawks: 217k (TNT+truTV)
Rangers-Penguins 560k (TNT+truTV)
Oilers-Capitals 318k (TNT+truTV)
Canucks-Kings: 159k (TNT+truTV)

March:

Leafs-Penguins: 326k (TNT+truTV)
Bruins-Wild: 457k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Blues-Stars: 383k (TNT+truTV)
Red Wings-Blue Jackets 1.6M (ESPN, Stadium Series)
Capitals-Rangers: 324k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Leafs-Golden Knights: 178k (TNT+truTV)
Sabres-Lightning: 390k (ESPN)
Sharks-Avalanche: 305k (ESPN)
Devils-Flyers: 263k (TNT+truTV)
Penguins-Wild: 350k TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Sabres-Red Wings: 290k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Ducks-Utah: 139k (TNT+truTV)
Utah-Oilers: 147k (ESPN)
Golden Knights-Red Wings: 405k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Stars-Avalanche: 301k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Avalanche-Leafs: 319k (TNT)
Kraken-Wild: 190k (TNT, non-exclusive)
Devils-Blackhawks: 265k (TNT+truTV, co-exist - CHSN)
Stars-Oilers: 221k (TNT+truTV)
Kings-Avalanche: 321k (ESPN)
Sharks-Kings: 401k (ESPN)

April:

Avs-Blackhawks: 191k ((TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Caps-Canes: 186k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Capitals-Islanders: 905k (TNT+truTV, co-exist with Monumental)
Stars-Wild: 378k (TNT+truTV)
Panthers-Red Wings: 546k (TNT+truTV)
Golden Knights-Canucks: 369k (ESPN)
Flyers-Rangers: 349k (TNT+truTV)
Blues-Oilers: 205k (TNT+truTV)
Leafs-Panthers: 216k (ESPN)
Golden Knights-Avalanche: 312k (ESPN)
Islanders-Devils: 172k (TNT+truTV)
Bruins-Penguins: 196k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Avalanche-Ducks: 495k (ESPN)
Panthers-Lightning: 237k (ESPN, co-exist with Scripps)
Kings-Kraken: 157k (ESPN)
Red Wings-Devils: 158k (TNT+truTV, non-exclusive)
Golden Knights-Canucks: 172k (TNT+truTV)
Capitals-Penguins: 535k (ESPN)
Flames-Kings: 392k (ESPN)

 

[Reaser]

-NHL on ESPN avg viewership Thursday-

Capitals-Penguins: 535k
Flames-Kings: 392k

 

[Reaser]

April:

Noticed list is missing the April 2nd Wednesday games:

Avs-Blackhawks: 191k (non-exclusive)
Caps-Canes: 186k (double non-exclusive/blacked out in both regional markets)

 

[DaBadGuy7]

I listened John Buccigross on the SBJ Sports Media Podcast saying that he hopes in the next TV negotiations that they or TNT get the exclusive rights to the 1st Round. I could see it happening to the mere fact that will one of the ways the NHL gets an increase in the deal overall.

 

[Reaser]

I listened John Buccigross on the SBJ Sports Media Podcast saying that he hopes in the next TV negotiations that they or TNT get the exclusive rights to the 1st Round. I could see it happening to the mere fact that will one of the ways the NHL gets an increase in the deal overall.

Discussing this elsewhere earlier today, I'll just copy/paste what I said:

"The playoffs would have to be scheduled infinitely better because "fan of just his/her team" isn't going to be happy with the entire first period of their game on ESPNEWS/ESPNU then switching to espn2.

Not to mention loss of revenue on regional rights. Plummet w/o playoff games."

 

[DaBadGuy7]

Discussing this elsewhere earlier today, I'll just copy/paste what I said:

"The playoffs would have to be scheduled infinitely better because "fan of just his/her team" isn't going to be happy with the entire first period of their game on ESPNEWS/ESPNU then switching to espn2.

Not to mention loss of revenue on regional rights. Plummet w/o playoff games."

I think the leagues see the RSNs as a lost cause at this point with how the cable bundle’s future is very uncertain. So they are hoping the streamers figure out a national RSN bundle like MLB is talking about. In terms of scheduling in a RSN-less 1st Round, that depends on the media partners really.

 

[Reaser]

I think the leagues see the RSNs as a lost cause at this point with how the cable bundle’s future is very uncertain. So they are hoping the streamers figure out a national RSN bundle like MLB is talking about. In terms of scheduling in a RSN-less 1st Round, that depends on the media partners really.

Well, everything is uncertain. Considering only 6 NHL teams aren't primarily on a RSN that kind of goes against the common narrative that RSN's are dead. Dying? We all are. When that day comes isn't known. In RSN's case that's been being predicted for many years now and yet, here we are with a vast majority of the league on ... RSNs.

Then you have Victory+ with the Stars. For that model to sustain -free- they will heavily rely on playoff games for the sponsor & advertising supported model -- and to hit impressions & views benchmarks for said sponsors.

For the RSNs, obviously the ad revenue that comes along with playoff games, but also carriage/carriage fees, Plus DTC subscriptions. Even existing at all can predicate on having playoff games -- in these uncertain times.

In a "local"/regional sport with a local/regional audience, crippling the business models of the local/regional broadcast partners that are carrying the load (generally 69+ exclusive regular season broadcasts) doesn't seem ideal -- especially as many teams still get a decent enough amount of money from those rights and some still see significant money. Or in other cases, are fan-friendly options -- free streaming or OTA supported by advertising. Playoff games are a huge viewership increase, which matters for all of their respective models.

Doesn't matter to me, I'll watch regardless, but in the immediate and short-term I don't see how that's good business. If in three years RSNs are dead, as they were supposed to be 3 years ago, and 3 years before that, then it's different circumstances and can speculate on all sorts of hypotheticals at that time.

 

[Reaser]

Related to the discussion. And another example of "the NHL isn't the NBA."

In the first round of the NBA playoffs regional broadcasters make up just under a 1/3rd of the in-market viewership in the NBA.

In the NHL it's closer to 50% (and in places like Boston well over 50%.)

NBA regional broadcasters already lose well over half of the in-market viewership to national broadcasts, anyway. That's a different deal.

For the NHL, that's obviously why Disney or WBD (or any future rights holder) would want first round Stanley Cup Playoff games, because they're essentially losing 50% of the in-market audience of the two participating teams when it's U.S. v. U.S.. Also, that is why the first round is so important to the regional broadcasters and their various business models. So you see both sides.

Semi-related, why I wish the NHL would include regional broadcast numbers for these games so people could see just how many people are actually watching, rather than seeing a # that's missing half of the in-market viewership from say the Devils, and missing half of the in-market viewership from the Canes. Plus the couple-to-handful of 100k that'll be watching that series in Canada. Lot more average viewership in the NHL's true league-footprint than ever gets reported in cases like that.

 

[Reaser]

SMW mentioned it this morning:

"A similar change for the NHL would provide additional value to the national broadcasters, but would significantly hurt teams’ deals with RSNs.

Several NHL RSN executives spoke on the record to SBJ, saying first-round playoff rights are “critical” to the networks in negotiating carriage fees with distributors and also selling subscriptions to direct-to-consumer platforms."

News: WBD, Netflix, NHL, CHSN

Warner Bros. Discovery is look at a spin-off of cable assets; Netflix's CEO downplays any future sports rights interest; and more.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

 

[Greatzsky 99]

from SMW

Thursday’s Capitals-Penguins NHL regular season game averaged 535,000 viewers on ESPN, the network’s third-largest audience of the season, despite there being nothing at stake. The Flames-Kings nightcap followed with 392,000.

Viewership declined from last year’s equivalent windows (Kraken-Wild: 591K; Oilers-Avalanche: 482K).

The ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC) averaged 571,000 viewers for the NHL regular season, down 14% from last year. A full NHL regular season recap is to come.

 

[Kirk Van Houten]

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs TV Schedule

Watch or stream every moment of the quest for the Stanley Cup with the 2025 NHL playoff TV schedule on ESPN, ABC, TNT, TBS, Hulu and more.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

I was looking at the schedule and noticed that ESPN Deportes is slated for the main ESPN games tomorrow so a small bump is expected for those games there. Also next weekend every game is on TBS while most NBA games are on TNT so it's going to be a mess if we get OT games.

 

[jkrdevil]

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs TV Schedule

Watch or stream every moment of the quest for the Stanley Cup with the 2025 NHL playoff TV schedule on ESPN, ABC, TNT, TBS, Hulu and more.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

I was looking at the schedule and noticed that ESPN Deportes is slated for the main ESPN games tomorrow so a small bump is expected for those games there. Also next weekend every game is on TBS while most NBA games are on TNT so it's going to be a mess if we get OT games.

I believe they have TruTV booked out for hockey, and they have HLN as an additional overrun channel. Plus with Max now they can have two different feeds on that.

But as far as RSN’s and round 1, you really do need them locally for the OT overruns in local markets. NBA overtime doesn’t last as long and doesn’t have an intermission.

 

[jkrdevil]

The NHL/US media partners being over reliant on the Legacy US markets and PIT/PHI/BUF is a whole another issue, but it is a pretty obvious one. I prefer 1-8 for the simple fact that there intrigue where teams are seeding related to matchups. I saw that down the stretch with the NBA Western Conference. Does that lead to better ratings down the stretch, I’m not sure. But at least there is down juice into the playoffs instead of matchups locked in by ASB.

I think the league likes the current format because it makes scheduling easier. They probably can’t start the season two days afterward if seedings can flip creating a cascade effect. And you certainly can’t start round 2 the day after round 1 in that case. IIRC, there was usually a day break in the reseed era. Scheduling is especially important where the rights are split and you have to fill timeslots on certain nights. It isn’t like the old days where one rightsholder got all the games so there was more flexibility.

 

[S E P H]

from SMW

Thursday’s Capitals-Penguins NHL regular season game averaged 535,000 viewers on ESPN, the network’s third-largest audience of the season, despite there being nothing at stake. The Flames-Kings nightcap followed with 392,000.

Viewership declined from last year’s equivalent windows (Kraken-Wild: 591K; Oilers-Avalanche: 482K).

The ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC) averaged 571,000 viewers for the NHL regular season, down 14% from last year. A full NHL regular season recap is to come.

What are the thoughts on the reason for this? Awful match-ups? Or good telly ranking teams being really bad this year?

 

[DaBadGuy7]

I think the league likes the current format because it makes scheduling easier. They probably can’t start the season two days afterward if seedings can flip creating a cascade effect. And you certainly can’t start round 2 the day after round 1 in that case. IIRC, there was usually a day break in the reseed era. Scheduling is especially important where the rights are split and you have to fill timeslots on certain nights. It isn’t like the old days where one rightsholder got all the games so there was more flexibility.

Then they can do what the NBA and MLB and not re-seed after Round 1. That could be compromise between that and the West teams complaining about travel since they will know which two possible opponents they have instead of the chaos of re-seeding possibilities. That also keeps the Bracket Challenge thing they have going on as well. Likely this format only gets change if the PA wants to be changed in new CBA.

 

[Reaser]

 

[Anisimovs AK]