While the Red Sox and Cavaliers have fallen by the wayside in their respective sports, the Penguins still dominate the NHL’s local television ratings.
Through January, the Penguins have averaged a 9.05 rating on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh, reports Sports Business Journal, the highest average local rating in the NHL.
The Penguins’ local rating tops all-but-one team each in the NBA and Major League Baseball — the Spurs (10.0) and Cardinals (9.5), respectively.
Pittsburgh is followed by traditionally strong market Buffalo, whose Sabres have averaged a 6.5 rating this season. The Red Wings (4.0), Blues (3.3) and Bruins (2.8) round out the top five.
The Penguins also lead in average household viewership, with 105,000 HHs. Several larger markets make up the remainder of the top five, including last year’s Stanley Cup finalists #3 market Chicago (89K) and #4 market Philadelphia (63K).
The one category in which Pittsburgh does not lead is in largest year-to-year increase. The aforementioned Blues take top honors, with a 41% rise from last year, followed by the Bruins (up 36%). The Capitals, Lightning and Kings round out the top five, with increases in the high 20% range.
(Sports Business Journal, 2/7/11)
