Classic Ratings - Largest Hockey Audience Since '75

[elocomotive]

So, some information on the ratings has trickled in the last few days. Tough to know what to make of it with a ton of factors involved, but it generally seems positive.

What we do know is that more people (4.5 million) sat down to watch a hockey game Saturday night than they have since the Rangers-Flyers drew 5.5 million in 1975. Several sources showed ratings to be up 8%, 10%, and 22% from the 2010 Classic. The rating was a 2.3, but it's tough to compare with other years since prime time has more viewers and it's a relative score. So it's tough to parse it all, but I think we can surmise this year's increase in viewership was a significant, though not massive, increase for the game.

Tough to draw any hard conclusions since the bad weather, time change, and competition with prime time TV probably hurt the ratings with stronger competition at night. However, more eyeballs in primetime definitely helped boost the raw number of people watching. In the end, I think it was a broadcast success for NBC.

Pittsburgh should be proud - a 32 rating and a 46 share for the Classic. Having nearly half the household in Pittsburgh tuned in for the game - that's completely insane! Kudos, P'burgh.

Washington was a much more tame (but still positive) 7.6 rating and 13 share, which makes the Classic the second most watched hockey game in DC history. Also, nearby cities Richmond and Baltimore (6.6 rating, 11 share) were also in the top 10 of cities viewing the game (Baltimore 3rd, Richmond 8th), having more households watching than bigger hockey cities like Philadelphia.

Details are in the Baltimore Sun, and Washington Post, NY Times.

 

[puckhead]

I think the HBO special helped too.
Even knowing the scores of the games they were talking about, I was freakin' riveted.

 

[elocomotive]

I think the HBO special helped too.

Excellent point.

 

[dare2be]

What we do know is that more people (4.5 million) sat down to watch a hockey game Saturday night than they have since the Rangers-Flyers drew 5.5 million in 1975.

Another thing to consider in those raw numbers (4.5M vs. 5.5M) is that in 1975 there were only a limited number of viewing choices back then (a dozen or so local channels) vs. the hundreds of channels to choose from now. That makes the 4.5 million number that much more impressive.

 

[IPostedWhat]

1. Pittsburgh, 32.0/46

2. Washington D.C., 7.6/13

3. Baltimore, 6.6/11

4. Buffalo, 5.3/8

T5. St. Louis, 4.3/7

T5. Denver, 4.3/7

7. Boston, 4.0/7

8. Richmond, 3.8/6

9. Philadelphia, 3.5/6

10. Columbus, 3.4/6

I was surprised to see Buffalo at #4 behind Baltimore.

 

[dare2be]

I was surprised to see Buffalo at #4 behind Baltimore.

I wasn't. Buffalo has always been in the top 10...er, top 5...in any of the ratings numbers I've seen posted here and in the swamp, no matter what the teams were.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I wasn't. Buffalo has always been in the top 10...er, top 5...in any of the ratings numbers I've seen posted here and in the swamp, no matter what the teams were.

I just meant I was surprised to see Baltimore was ahead of them, but I guess I can understand why.

 

[dare2be]

I just meant I was surprised to see Baltimore was ahead of them, but I guess I can understand why.

Baltimore is a suburb of Washington.

 

[IPostedWhat]

Baltimore is a suburb of Washington.

I know that jerk.

 

[dare2be]

I know that jerk.

I meant that as more of a dig on Baltimore than antagonizing you.

 

[elocomotive]

Another thing to consider in those raw numbers (4.5M vs. 5.5M) is that in 1975 there were only a limited number of viewing choices back then (a dozen or so local channels) vs. the hundreds of channels to choose from now. That makes the 4.5 million number that much more impressive.

Very true - good point, TONS more channels. Also 310 million people now vs. 215 million back then. Tough to know which of these carries greater weight.

 

[Comeds]

Close proximity or not I was surprised to see Baltimore on the list.

 

[elocomotive]

Close proximity or not I was surprised to see Baltimore on the list.

"The City That Reads" Loves Hockey!

I suddenly have a strong desire to watch The Wire.

 

[HonusWagner66]

The hype machine apparently worked out well then.

 

[Ho_Brah]

this would make for great conversation on the NBA/NFL boards at teh swamp.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm always shocked to see CBus on these lists...I swear they're on quite often. I guess there's a lot of displaced Burghers there...but still. Pittsburgh numbers are impressive, but not really shocking. The city is smitten with the team, that much is obvious.

 

[elocomotive]

I'm always shocked to see CBus on these lists...I swear they're on quite often. I guess there's a lot of displaced Burghers there...but still. Pittsburgh numbers are impressive, but not really shocking. The city is smitten with the team, that much is obvious.

I think Denver surprises me the most... especially during ski season!

 

[thedddd]

I think Denver surprises me the most... especially during ski season!

Funny the ratings that surprised me were in Boston and Buffalo. Not so much because I know both are great hockey towns but the fact they had a great game that started an hour earlier and went to a shootout during the Winter Classic.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Very true - good point, TONS more channels. Also 310 million people now vs. 215 million back then. Tough to know which of these carries greater weight.

You should ask some kind of statistician

 

[IPostedWhat]

they had a great game that started an hour earlier and went to a shootout during the Winter Classic.

This is true.

I would have to think that if the Sabres were not playing a crazy high scoring game against the Bruins, Buffalo would of been #3 in the ratings, and maybe even challenging Washington D.C. for #2?