Even With A Lockout, TV Ratings Soar To Record Highs In 2013

[IPostedWhat]

The abbreviated 2013 season, which lost about a third of its games to a lockout, scored the best regular-season cable TV ratings in 19 years.

NBC Sports Network averaged 392,000 total viewers per game, according to Nielsen, up 18 percent over last year, when the network drew 332,000 per game.

It was the most-watched regular season ever on the cable network, which began broadcasting the NHL in 2005.

And it was the most-watched regular season since ESPN averaged 474,000 viewers per game in 1993-’94.

That certainly bodes well for the NHL playoffs, which opened on Tuesday.

And it proves that despite fans’ anger during the lockout, when the entire season was threatened by a dispute over money between players and owners, they don’t hold a grudge.

Based on the strong results for the NFL, NBA and now the NHL in the seasons right after their lockouts, it appears that fans really only care about watching their favorite teams.

Lockout schmockout: NHL ratings soar | Media Life Magazine

 

[raptorlife4]

The Sheep flocked back

 

[dare2be]

More games broadcast over a longer period of time is going to dilute the numbers. If only 10 nights of NHL games were shown the entire season, you can bet that the ratings would be higher. Lower supply increases demand. I'm not at all surprised.

 

[pixburgher66]

The Sheep flocked back

And brought friends. Baaaa. Sorry, love hockey too much. BUT, this was a record low year in my family spending money on the team. Went to one game, no merchandise this year either. So, there's that.

 

[dash]

I hate it when Bettman is right...

 

[TiLoBrown]

I wouldn't call viewers sheep, now those buying tickets and merch.... They're sheep.

 

[dare2be]

And it was the most-watched regular season since ESPN averaged 474,000 viewers per game in 1993-’94.

Now you want to talk about sheep. More mindless viewers on ESPN just because it's ESPN.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

"NHL TV RATINGS SOARED" *




/*60,000 more viewers in a nation of 300,000,000 people :/

 

[DChero]

At least I kept my $50 away from them!