Hockey may still be relatively unpopular in the U.S., but ratings are up on Versus and regional sports networks.
Ratings for the NHL on Versus are up 50% so far this season, to a 0.3 national rating, compared to a 0.2 through the same point last year. Numbers in the key men 18-49 and 25-54 demographics have also increased substantially, up 27% and 43%, respectively.
Games are averaging 250,000 viewers, up 24% from last year, with approximately 100,000 viewers in the 18-49 and 25-54 demographics. Among men 18-34, Versus is averaging 43,000 viewers, up 1% from last year.
The big gains are not confined to Versus. Especially in New York, NHL ratings are up significantly. Ratings for New York Islanders and New York Rangers games are up 176% and 124%, respectively, while ratings for New Jersey Devils games are up 138%. Despite the big increases, Islanders and Devils games on FSN New York are averaging ratings of 0.3 and 0.4. Rangers games on MSG are averaging a 1.1, even with the rating the New York Knicks were averaging through November 21.
Outside of New York, ratings are up in the upper Midwest, as the numbers are up for the St. Louis Blues (125%), Minnesota Wild (115%), and Detroit Red Wings (58%). Red Wings games are averaging a 4.6 rating on FSN Detroit, the second highest local average in the entire league — behind the Pittsburgh Penguins on FSN Pittsburgh, whose 5.1 average is up 22% from last year.
Overall, at least five NHL teams have seen their local ratings increase by at least 100%.
Perhaps the NHL, and the NBA as well, can thank the ongoing writers strike for part of their respective successes, as both leagues have seen a significant increase in local team ratings.
Not all of the news is good. Ratings for several NHL teams are down significantly. The Phoenix Coyotes, Atlanta Thrashers and Chicago Blackhawks have each seen their local television ratings decline by at least 40%, while ratings for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Florida Panthers are also down double-digits.
