Kings-Avalanche Stadium Series ratings hit low

The latest NHL outdoor game was a ratings bust.

Saturday’s Kings-Avalanche NHL Stadium Series game averaged a 0.6 rating and 1.00 million viewers on NBC, marking the least-watched outdoor game ever on the network (21 telecasts). The previous low was 1.08 million for the 2017 Red Wings-Maple Leafs Centennial Classic.

Across all networks, it ranks as the seventh-least watched outdoor game since the debut of the Winter Classic in 2008. That does not include a pair of Heritage Classic games on NHL Network, which is not Nielsen-rated.

It was also the lowest rated and least-watched NHL game ever on primetime broadcast television.

Los Angeles’ win sank 45% in ratings and 48% in viewership from last year’s Stadium Series game (Penguins-Flyers: 1.1, 1.94M) and a tick and 9% respectively from the 2018 edition (Maple Leafs-Capitals: 0.7, 1.11M).

In other action, Bruins-Rangers averaged a 0.7 and 1.03 million on “Hockey Day in America” Sunday — up a tick in ratings and 16% in viewership from Blues-Wild last year (0.6, 886K). Earlier in the day, Red Wings-Penguins drew a 0.6 (-14%) and 848,000 (-22%).

Shifting to cable, NBCSN averaged a 0.26 (+4%) and 419,000 (+7%) for Canadiens-Bruins on Wednesday Night Hockey last week and 150,000 for the Flames-Ducks nightcap.

The network also drew 288,000 for Blues-Predators on Sunday (-32%), 121,000 for Capitals-Avalanche last Thursday, 121,000 for Flyers-Islanders on February 11 (+9%), 227,000 for Islanders-Capitals on February 10 (-13%) and 292,000 for Avalanche-Wild on February 9 (-4%).

Figures for Monday and Tuesday’s games were not immediately available.

[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 2.19 a, b, 2.14, 2.13, 2.12, 2.11 a, b; Programming Insider 2.14]

XFL down in week two, but not bad yet

Jon Lewis

Jon Lewis has been covering the sports media industry on a daily basis since 2006 as the founder and main writer of Sports Media Watch. You can contact him here or on the social media websites X (Twitter) or Bluesky.

Las Vegas, NV - June 14, 2026 - T-Mobile Arena: Jordan Staal (11) of the Carolina Hurricanes holding the Conn Smythe Trophy after winning game six and the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Canes-Knights officially among top five most-watched Cup finals

by Jon Lewis

2 days ago

Hurricanes-Golden Knights ended up as one of the more memorable -- and most-watched -- Stanley Cup finals.

Carolina Hurricanes players celebrate after a goal by Andrei Svechnikov during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Cup Final ratings, viewership, hit another high in penultimate game

by Jon Lewis

3 days ago

Stanley Cup Final viewership continued to trend up in Game 5, which officially posted the second-largest NHL audience in...

Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake, second from right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Alexander Nikishin, left, and left wing Taylor Hall, second from left, as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon looks on during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Cup Final fourth-most watched on record through four games

by Jon Lewis

6 days ago

A Stanley Cup Final that started with low expectations now ranks among the most-watched on record through four games.

Las Vegas, NV - June 6, 2026 - T-Mobile Arena: Mitch Marner (93), William Karlsson (71) of the Vegas Golden Knights and Alexander Nikishin (21), Brandon Bussi (32) of the Carolina Hurricanes during game three of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
(Photo by Al Powers / ESPN Images)

Stanley Cup Final hits more ratings, viewership highs in Game 3

by Jon Lewis

1 week ago

The Stanley Cup Final continues light up the scoreboard, both literally and in the ratings.

Comments 7

John Furgele says:

6 years ago

There should be two games—the New Year’s Day Winter Classic in a cold weather city like Buffalo, Boston or Chicago or Minneapolis and another for a Canadian city. That’s it—playing outdoor games in 40 to 50 degree weather defeats the purpose of outdoor hockey. You need cold, you need to see the players’ breath and you need to see bundled up fans questioning their own sanity.
Conrad says:

6 years ago

Once a year Winter Classics, all other outdoor games can suck it. Hold them at Wrigley, Fenway, or Yankee Stadium. Only use the Bruins, Rangers, Penguins, Flyers, Red Wings, and Blackhawks. And also try Sunday night. There is a reason that a sucky Sunday Night Football game gets better ratings than LSU-Texas or even a thrilling Big Ten Championship. Everyone goes out on Saturday Night.
Samuel says:

6 years ago

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If the NHL wants decent enough ratings, they have to stick to the common teams such as the Rangers, Penguins, Bruins and Blackhawks. No one is going to tune in to watch Colorado and LA play a hockey game. Then when you throw in the gimmick that is outdoor hockey, you get the lowest rated primetime game. NBC is asking for lower ratings by scheduling teams in non-traditional hockey markets. Other sports can get away with any city, but the NHL is really a 5 city sport in terms of nationwide interest. And even the interest for those cities are mild.
Esl says:

6 years ago

The NHL and NBC have to take full blame for the horrible ratings for the outdoor games. The league had a good thing going with the Winter Classic. They created a special event that was played 1 time a season in New Years Day. . But they got greedy. Then they had to add 3 or 4 games a season. It just took away the must see event of the Winter Classic to a point where the league wants to add extra games every season.
To keep its relevance, the league has to eliminate the extra outdoor games and keep it to once a year at the Winter Classic.
Adam Bradford says:

6 years ago

Having better venues would help, in my opinion. The early Winter Classics that did great were at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, and last year at Notre Dame Stadium did pretty well as well. But how many people are going to get excited about a game at Falcon Stadium, or Citi Field, or even Annapolis?

A few venues that I think the NHL should look into:

-The Rose Bowl
-The Horshoe
-The LA Coliseum
-Lambeau Field
David says:

6 years ago

I agree. While the NHL ratings lately have been disappointing in general, I’m not surprised the outdoor game did so poorly. It has been overkill. Any uniqueness is gone. I wish they would stop doing them for a few years, and then go back to once a year to see if you can recapture the magic. One of the problems I see, especially for the casual fan, the puck in hockey is tough enough to see as it is, it is even harder for the outdoor games. Just not a good viewing experience. As a fan, I’m unhappy with their ratings in general, especially with it not that long until the next TV contract.
Dan says:

6 years ago

The NHL has driven the outdoor into the ground. Having skated on the ice at Fenway Park it is quite a thrill. I don’t know what NBC expected ratings wise. I know you want to shake up the teams participating but these aren’t exactly marquee teams.