Steeler/Viking preason game has higher TV ratings than NHL finals game 6

[LambeauLegs]

Yes football is back!!!

Hall of Fame Game generates big TV ratings | ProFootballTalk

The NFL remains the undisputed king of American television.

Last night’s Hall of Fame Game drew a 6.9 overnight rating, making it by far the most-watched show on any network, and the most-watched NFL preseason game in three years.

To put into perspective how good a 6.9 overnight rating is, here’s a sample of sports programming that has had a lower overnight rating in the last year:

Stanley Cup Final Game 6:5.6.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 1:5.6.
NBA Western Conference Finals Game 1:5.4.
Indy 500:4.3.
American League Championship Series Game 1:4.0.
National League Championship Series Game 1:3.5.

For a meaningless preseason game that the marquee players sat out, the NFL drew more viewers than other sports draw for the biggest events of the year. After an offseason in which Deflategate dominated the headlines, it appears that not only are fans not turned off, but if anything they’re as eager as ever for football to start. Even if that football is just a meaningless preseason game.

 

[jarntt]

Too bad more people don't watch hockey. Playoff hockey is so damn electric and exciting. I think even people that don't watch hockey in the regular season would enjoy the playoffs if they gave it a real chance

 

[NEPatsfan]

Too bad more people don't watch hockey. Playoff hockey is so damn electric and exciting. I think even people that don't watch hockey in the regular season would enjoy the playoffs if they gave it a real chance

You are spot on. Playoff hockey smokes the NFL day in and day out. Unfortunately the NHL is a very seasonal sport, in the sense that kids in TX don't play it typically, for example, lowering the overall interest in it.

And I'll also go out on a limb and argue hockey players are tougher than football players, day in, and day out, hands down.

 

[NEhomer]

NHL is better than soccer but that's about it. Still too much repetitive action that doesn't advance the objective of scoring. 25 shots on goal and only one of them goes into the net?

...yeah yeah, I know, I don't understand the game and I should value uninterrupted action.

I watched a bit of this preseason game myself.

 

[Rock Strongo]

well it was a shitty cup final. if NY made it we may be talking differently.

 

[nebearsfan70]

well it was a shitty cup final. if NY made it we may be talking differently.

Says you...

It was an awesome Cup final, and the 'Hawks won, again!

 

[fordman84]

You are spot on. Playoff hockey smokes the NFL day in and day out. Unfortunately the NHL is a very seasonal sport, in the sense that kids in TX don't play it typically, for example, lowering the overall interest in it.

And I'll also go out on a limb and argue hockey players are tougher than football players, day in, and day out, hands down.

Kids in TX do play hockey. The backlog to get ice time at any of the Stars Centers or even at Grapevine Mills rink is insane because of all the youth teams. That is year round. I used to drive by the mall at 6:15 on my way to work and there would be no cars in the lot except next to the skating rink because youth hockey teams are willing to take the 6-7am slot.

Are more playing hockey than football? No. But there is quite the youth movement to hockey here. A lady I work with has a kid drafted by the Penguins, playing hockey up north in college for now. Her family is pretty country, but he's a solid skater.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Says you...

It was an awesome Cup final, and the 'Hawks won, again!

fuck off

yeah the ratings would have been tremendous of NYC made it.

 

[Breed]

Too bad more people don't watch hockey. Playoff hockey is so damn electric and exciting. I think even people that don't watch hockey in the regular season would enjoy the playoffs if they gave it a real chance

Hockey doesn't translate well via television. Football on the hand is like tailor made for tv.

I agree with you though. Playoff hockey is the shit.

 

[fordman84]

Hockey doesn't translate well via television. Football on the hand is like tailor made for tv.

I agree with you though. Playoff hockey is the shit.

Ha, wasn't it Fox that tried to help out by putting that little highlight on the puck, even when it was against the near boards?

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Says you...

It was an awesome Cup final, and the 'Hawks won, again!

I think that your response points to something that is true for a lot of folks. Hockey is generally very exciting when your team is involved (that is the Caps for me who always break your heart). Except for diehards - watching the NHL - even playoff games - is not all that great especially compared to other major sports.

At least the Blackhawks made (& won) the Stanley Cup finals. A Ducks-Lighting final would have been a total disaster & those ratings would have been significantly lower.

 

[Breed]

d I'll also go out on a limb and argue hockey players are tougher than football players, day in, and day out, hands down.

Hands down question eh. No question about it. You may be right, but that's puttin too much on it.

 

[Thruthefog]

Hockey is pretty exciting when the McKenzie brothers get on the ice. Otherwise it's boring as hell.

 

[Breed]

At least the Blackhawks made (& won) the Stanley Cup finals. A Ducks-Lighting final would have been a total disaster & those ratings would have been significantly lower.

As a Ducks fan I would've enjoyed it quite a bit.

 

[Breed]

Ha, wasn't it Fox that tried to help out by putting that little highlight on the puck, even when it was against the near boards?

I remember the experiment and that it didn't end well. I don't remember who came up with the idea though.

 

[wingsauce7]

Kids in TX do play hockey. The backlog to get ice time at any of the Stars Centers or even at Grapevine Mills rink is insane because of all the youth teams. That is year round. I used to drive by the mall at 6:15 on my way to work and there would be no cars in the lot except next to the skating rink because youth hockey teams are willing to take the 6-7am slot.

Are more playing hockey than football? No. But there is quite the youth movement to hockey here. A lady I work with has a kid drafted by the Penguins, playing hockey up north in college for now. Her family is pretty country, but he's a solid skater.

Yes Ice time is hard to come by. That's the point. In northern states you don't need to get indoor ice time. Where I grew up in North Iowa

 

[Scooby-Doo]

You are spot on. Playoff hockey smokes the NFL day in and day out. Unfortunately the NHL is a very seasonal sport, in the sense that kids in TX don't play it typically, for example, lowering the overall interest in it.

And I'll also go out on a limb and argue hockey players are tougher than football players, day in, and day out, hands down.

Playoff hockey is cool, but it isn't close to the NFL. The fact that it has less than 1/16 of the fans the NFL has is proof.

 

[wingsauce7]

Kids in TX do play hockey. The backlog to get ice time at any of the Stars Centers or even at Grapevine Mills rink is insane because of all the youth teams. That is year round. I used to drive by the mall at 6:15 on my way to work and there would be no cars in the lot except next to the skating rink because youth hockey teams are willing to take the 6-7am slot.

Are more playing hockey than football? No. But there is quite the youth movement to hockey here. A lady I work with has a kid drafted by the Penguins, playing hockey up north in college for now. Her family is pretty country, but he's a solid skater.

Yes Ice time is hard to come by. That's the point. In northern states you don't need to get indoor ice time. Where I grew up in North Iowa, most of the city parks would flood rinks in the winter so it was just a matter of taking your stick and skates and it's game on.

For me playing hockey in the winter was no different than playing baseball in the summer.

Even now in Colorado it's too warm for winter park hockey and indoor "club" hockey is so insanely expensive that most parents won't commit.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Funny, football is significantly better on TV than in person and hockey is significantly better in person than on TV. Football there are so many graphics, replays, stats, they break it down perfectly, the yellow first down line is severely underrated and lacking while in person. With hockey, the speed, sound of the game and guys changing on the fly are all completely lost to television. Also much tougher for casual fans to follow the puck around on TV compared to in person.

 

[nebearsfan70]

fuck off

yeah the ratings would have been tremendous of NYC made it.