NHL ratings are up at the midway point of the 2008-09 season.
Local NHL ratings are up for 15 of 22 U.S. teams*, with the Washington Capitals seeing the biggest increase. Capitals telecasts on Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic are averaging a 1.2 rating, up 140% from last year. Despite enduring major financial turmoil, the Phoenix Coyotes have the second biggest increase in the league, as the 0.5 rating for their games on FS Arizona marks a 100% increase from last year.
Other teams with increases of at least 40% include the Chicago Blackhawks (1.1 rating, up 73%), the Boston Bruins (2.2 rating, up 53%), the San Jose Sharks (1.3 rating, up 42%) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (1.4 rating, up 40%).
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres lead the way in the ratings department, as their games are averaging an 8.9 rating on MSG Network. The Sabres are followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins (6.1 rating) and Detroit Red Wings (3.7 rating). Incidentally, the 3.7 for Red Wings games is off 22% from last year — the third biggest ratings decline in the NHL.
Nationally, Versus averaged 310,732 viewers for its first 31 telecasts of the season, up 17% from last year. Meanwhile, NBC drew 4.4 million viewers for the Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Blackhawks, up 19% from 3.7 million for last year’s game, and the most viewers for a regular season NHL telecast since 1975.
* local ratings exclude the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes.
