Who cares which teams are playing?

[WildBill]

This is fantastic action in Raleigh tonight, end to end with plenty of scoring. How can you not like what is going on the ice tonight? You don't even get the OLN excuse either.

 

[Stocks]

Its a shame more people in the states are'nt paying attenion to the NHL palyoffs, this is defintly the best playoffs I've seen in a long time with the rule changes and an underdog team like Edmonton knocking off top teams

 

[awol256]

I seriously just found out that the NHL was playing in their finals...people (in general) are just not interested.

I heard on the radio yesterday - the NHL Finals game from over the weekend received a 1.8 share (on NBC!!!) for its ratings...the worst share of any programming from the major stations (NBC, ABC, CBS) from the weekend.

People say they dont care about the NBA - and the NBA game received a share close to 9 - the best rating of any program from the weekend.

Thats scary if your the NHL big wigs.

 

[WildBill]

Why is it scary? If they had Red Wings and Rangers in the final I bet people would still find the ratings somehow disappointing. What this proves is the NHL top brass was brilliant in how they had this play out. Sure it would be good to be on better networks and get better ratings, but when you create a system that fills arenas and makes all but one or two of your teams profitable with almost nothing for TV money, you're pretty damn wise.

 

[PokerKingJim]

The league did the best they could - hockey just isn't very popular right now. NHL wasn't exactly burning up the ratings before the lockout

 

[awol256]

TV revenue is so huge for each major sport in the US...from the NCAA Tourney for B-Ball...Fox/Espn for baseball (the #1 reason for the Yanks ability to spend money is there enormous MSG Tv deal)...and the football tv revenue is beyond the charts.

I would imagine NBC is not too happy about their ratings...and highly unlikely to pick up any further contracts w/ the NHL.

Props to the NHL are currently surviving w/out the big tv revenue...but for how long? If they can survive w/ just the 'diehard fan' revenue (from team apparel, tixs, concessions, etc) then I will certainly tip my cap. But getting a 1 share on a primetime saturday night, on basic cable - is pathetic & certainly the NHL higher ups would luv to see higher revenue from the networking side of their business.