Ratings jumped for the second edition of the NHL Winter Classic.
The Red Wings’ win over the Blackhawks, which took place at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, drew a 2.5/5 final rating on NBC on New Year’s Day. The 2.5 rating marks a 14% increase over a 2.2 for last year’s Winter Classic between the Penguins and Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The 2.5 rating is the highest for a regular season NHL telecast since at least 1996, and is the fifth-highest rating for any NHL telecast — regular season or playoffs — since the 2004-05 lockout.
Compared to other sports, the 2.5 rating surpasses the regular season averages for the NBA on ABC (2.2)* and MLB on FOX (2.0).
Despite the strong numbers, the Winter Classic did not beat any of the college football bowl games airing at the same time. However, the game did come close to the Outback Bowl, which drew a 2.6 U.S. rating on ESPN.
New Year’s Day ratings.
6.4: Capital One Bowl, Mich. St./Georgia (Thu., 1/1, 1 PM ABC)
4.1: Gator Bowl, Nebraska/Clemson (Thu., 1/1, 1 PM CBS)
2.6: Outback Bowl, Iowa/S. Carolina (Thu., 1/1, 11 AM ESPN)
2.5: NHL Winter Classic, Red Wings/Blackhawks (Thu., 1/1, 1 PM NBC)
Highest NHL ratings since lockout.
4.0: Red Wings/Penguins (Wed., 6/4/08, 8 PM NBC)
3.8: Penguins/Red Wings (Mon., 6/2/08, 8 PM NBC)
3.3: Oilers/Hurricanes (Mon., 6/19/06, NBC)
2.5: Red Wings/Blackhawks (Thu., 1/1/09, 1 PM NBC)
2.5: Oilers/Hurricanes (Wed., 6/14/06, NBC)
* 2.2 average for NBA on ABC is for the 2007-08 season, not the ongoing 2008-09 season.
