via MultiChannel News:
After a strong scoring regular-season with the Nielsens, Versus is skating quickly among viewers with its opening- round coverage of the National Hockey League playoffs.
Versus, over 16 games through April 22, averaged a 0.4 rating, a 33% rise from 0.3 mark during the corresponding period in the NHL’s 2008 post-season, according to Nielsen Media Research.
All told, the Comcast-owned service delivered 449,379 viewers on average, a 50% jump from 300,033 through 16 opening-round contests last year.
On the demo front, the competition channel registered a 39% gain among men 18 to 49 and a 52% advance among guys 25 to 54, according to Versus officials.
Better teams and matchups this year will equal an upswing in the ratings to no surprise. Sidney Crosby and the Pens are rising, Ovechkin and the Caps are also rising, Rangers represent that large market, Flyers also a large market, Wings are the most popular team in the lague in the states, Blackhawks are back and that’s going to be really good for the NHL down the line, original six Bruins are back, and so many other things are the ingredients to better ratings for the NHL during these playoffs.
Like I said before the NHL is on the verge of a huge peak period coming up so look out for that.
Only problem with the NHL to me are the television deals don’t do justice for this regrowth of the league. Versus would be a good network for the NHL but its too limited in its homes right now and Comcast needs to work on clearing it to 90-95 million homes like ESPN does. The NBC deal is going for them in the playoffs and Stanley Cup but non-existent during the season. They need a deal like the NBA has with TNT airing 40 games in 40 Nights.
OpeningDayGuy09, I think you are correct that current TV deals are not quite up-to-par with the overall momentum in the NHL. The NBC playoff deal is a start. And with NBC’s current ratings dilemmas, why not start a full-season, prime-time weekend hockey event? I’d watch that!
On a personal bias note – GO PENS! Crosby is a bona fide star. Malkin won the season scoring title, if I’m not mistaken. Goalie Fleury made a whopping 45 saves as the Pens beat Philly in Philly. Does young interim coach Dan Bylsma have a shot at staying in the “big leagues” with a solid playoff performance? Pens need to win TODAY to get their mojo back. GO PENS!!!
TVBTN team, it would be greatly appreciated if you could post any details on NBC’s ratings for their weekend NHL playoff games. No urgency here, but I’m curious. Are ratings as-expected? Better than expected? I’m hoping the NHL is a boon to NBC broadcast as it is for Versus