The following is an overview of the television ratings for the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Stanley Cup Finals in both the United States and Canada.
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
The following table shows the ratings for each game of the Stanley Cup Finals aired on ABC in even numbered years and on TNT in odd numbered years. The numbers in parentheses represent number of viewers (measured in millions).
Most viewers for each Game (1 through 7) or Average | |
Fewest viewers for each Game (1 through 7) or Average |
Year | Network (Games) | Results | Avg. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Game Avg. | 3.356M | 3.25M | 3.381M | 3.415M | 4.001M | 5.027M | 7.662M | ||||
2024 | ABC ESPN+ | Edmonton Oilers 3, Florida Panthers 4 | 2.09 (4.166M) | 1.6 (3.115M) | 1.9 (3.558M) | 1.8 (3.352M) | 1.4 (3.085M) | 2.1 (4.150M) | 2.1 (4.237M) | 3.7 (7.662M) | 29.159M |
2023 | TNT TBS (Games 1-4) TruTV | Florida Panthers 1, Vegas Golden Knights 4 | 1.3 (2.602M) | 1.3 (2.753M) | 1.3 (2.445M) | 1.4 (2.688M) | 1.3 (2.562M) | 1.4 [1] (2.721M) | No Game | 13.169M | |
2022 | ABC ESPN+ | Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Colorado Avalanche 4 | 2.31 (4.602M) | 2.18 (4.200M) | 1.70 (3.747M) | 2.20 (4.103M) | 2.44 (4.599M) | 2.42 (5.145M) | 2.89 (5.817M) | No Game | 27.611M |
The following table shows the ratings for each game of the Stanley Cup Finals. The numbers in parentheses represent number of viewers (measured in millions).
Year | Network (Games) | Results | Avg. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Game Avg. | 3.745M | 3.390M | 2.612M | 3.768M | 4.719M | 6.009M | 7.636M | ||||
2021 | NBC (3, 4, 5) NBCSN (1, 2) | Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Montreal Canadiens 1 | 1.3 (2.405M) | 0.8 (1.569M) | 0.9 (1.649M) | 1.2 (2.378M) | 1.7 (2.92M) | 1.9 (3.51M) | No Game | 12.026M | |
2020 | NBC (1, 4, 5, 6) NBCSN (2, 3) | Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Dallas Stars 2 | 1.0 (2.034M) | 1.1 (2.115M) | 0.6 (1.137M) | 0.6 (1.145M) | 1.3 (2.216M) | 1.5 (2.713M) | 1.7 (2.877M) | No Game | 12.203M |
2019 | NBC (1, 4, 5, 6, 7) NBCSN (2, 3) | St. Louis Blues 4, Boston Bruins 3 | 3.0 (5.333M) | 2.9 (5.251M) | 2.0 (3.386M) | 1.6 (2.930M) | 3.1 (5.128M) | 3.2 (5.443M) | 3.6 (6.469M) | 4.9 (8.723M) | 37.33M |
2018 | NBC (1, 4, 5) NBCSN (2, 3) | Washington Capitals 4, Vegas Golden Knights 1 | 2.74 (4.786M) [2] | 2.9 (5.195M) [3] | 2.0 (3.648M) [4] | 1.9 (3.439M) [5] | 3.0 (5.061M) [6] | 3.9 (6.588M) [2] | No Game | 23.931M | |
2017 | NBC (1, 4, 5, 6) NBCSN (2, 3) | Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Nashville Predators 2 | 2.7 (4.668M) | 2.8 (4.854M) [7] | 1.8 (3.180M) [8] | 1.6 (2.953M) [9] | 3.2 (5.654M) [10] | 2.6 (4.382M) [11] | 3.9 (6.985M) [12] | No Game | 28.008M |
2016 | NBC (1, 4, 5, 6) NBCSN (2, 3) | Pittsburgh Penguins 4, San Jose Sharks 2 | 2.3 (4.001M) | 2.3 (4.081M) [13] | 1.4 (2.507M) [14] | 1.5 (2.789M) [15] | 2.5 (4.234M) [15] | 3.0 (5.009M) [16] | 3.1 (5.407M) [17] | No Game | 24.027M |
2015 | NBC (1, 2, 5, 6) NBCSN (3, 4) | Chicago Blackhawks 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 | 3.2 (5.530M) | 3.3 (5.547M) [18] | 3.9 (6.549M) [19] | 2.2 (3.896M) [20] | 2.2 (3.914M) [21] | 3.0 (5.267M) [22] | 4.4 (8.005M) [23] | No Game | 33.178M |
2014 | NBC (1, 2, 5) NBCSN (3, 4) | Los Angeles Kings 4, New York Rangers 1 | 3.0 (4.697M) | 3.0 (4.777M) [24] | 3.7 (6.413M) [25] | 1.7 (2.893M) [26] | 2.0 (3.383M) [27] | 3.7 (6.021M) [28] | No Game | 23.487M | |
2013 | NBC (1, 4, 5, 6) NBCSN (2, 3) | Chicago Blackhawks 4, Boston Bruins 2 | 3.3 (5.762M) | 3.9 (6.358M) | 2.0 (3.964M) | 2.3 (4.001M) | 3.8 (6.459M) | 3.2 (5.632M) | 4.7 (8.160M) | No Game | 34.574M |
2012 | NBC (1, 2, 5, 6) NBCSN (3, 4) | Los Angeles Kings 4, New Jersey Devils 2 | 1.8 (2.979M) | 1.8 (2.900M) | 1.7 (2.900M) | 1.0 (1.743M) | 1.2 (2.069M) | 2.0 (3.331M) | 3.1 (4.930M) | No Game | 17.873M |
2011 | NBC (1, 2, 5, 6, 7) Versus (3, 4) | Boston Bruins 4, Vancouver Canucks 3 | 2.7 (4.564M) | 2.7 (4.562M) | 2.2 (3.569M) | 1.6 (2.757M) | 1.6 (2.714M) | 2.6 (4.319M) | 3.2 (5.484M) | 4.8 (8.540M) | 32.003M |
2010 | NBC (1, 2, 5, 6) Versus (3, 4) | Chicago Blackhawks 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2 | 3.1 (5.196M) | 2.8 (4.428M) [29] | 4.1 (5.892M) [30] [31] | 2.0 (3.600M) | 1.7 (3.126M) [32] | 3.3 (5.848M) [33] | 4.7 (8.279M) [34] | No Game | 31.173M |
2009 | NBC (1, 2, 5, 6, 7) Versus (3, 4) | Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Detroit Red Wings 3 | 2.7 (4.905M) | 2.4 (4.300M) | 3.1 (5.386M) | 1.7 (2.955M) | 1.8 (3.448M) | 2.4 (4.446M) | 3.4 (5.814M) | 4.3 (7.992M) | 34.341M |
2008 | NBC (3, 4, 5, 6) Versus (1, 2) | Detroit Red Wings 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 | 2.6 (4.345M) | 1.2 (2.352M) | 1.3 (2.608M) | 2.4 (4.041M) | 2.3 (4.044M) | 3.8 (6.247M) | 4.0 (6.779M) | No Game | 26.071M |
2007 | NBC (3, 4, 5) Versus (1, 2) | Anaheim Ducks 4, Ottawa Senators 1 | 1.2 (1.735M) | 0.5 (769K) | 0.4 (576K) | 1.1 (1.631M) | 1.9 (2.797M) | 1.8 (2.902M) | No Game | ||
2006 | NBC (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) OLN (1, 2) | Carolina Hurricanes 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 | 1.8 (2.780M) | 0.6 (861K) | 0.5 (875K) | 1.6 (2.542M) | 2.6 (3.127M) | 2.5 (3.850M) | 1.9 (2.921M) | 3.3 (5.290M) | 19.466M |
2005 | Series cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout |
Year | Teams | Games Carried | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Tampa Bay Lightning–Calgary Flames | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | 2.6 |
2003 | New Jersey Devils – Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | 3, [35] 4, 5, 6, 7 | 2.9 |
2002 | Detroit Red Wings–Carolina Hurricanes | 3, 4, 5 | 3.6 |
2001 | Colorado Avalanche–New Jersey Devils | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | 3.3 |
2000 | New Jersey Devils–Dallas Stars | 3, 4, 5, [36] 6 | 3.7 |
Year | Teams | Games Carried | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Dallas Stars–Buffalo Sabres | 1, 2, 5 | 3.4 |
1998 | Detroit Red Wings–Washington Capitals | 1 | 3.3 |
1997 | Detroit Red Wings–Philadelphia Flyers | 1 | 4.0 |
1996 | Colorado Avalanche–Florida Panthers | 1, 3 | 3.6 |
1995 | New Jersey Devils–Detroit Red Wings | 1, 4 | 3.4 |
As per Fang's Bites.
The NHL on NBC was an American presentation of National Hockey League (NHL) games produced by NBC Sports, and televised on NBC properties, including MSNBC, CNBC, Golf Channel, USA Network and NBCSN in the United States.
Audience measurement by Nielsen Media Research, commonly referred to as Nielsen ratings, has provided World Series television ratings since at least 1963. Key measurements are ratings, the percentage of all U.S. television-equipped households that watched a game, share, the percentage of television sets in use that were tuned to a game, and total viewers, the average number of people watching a game throughout its duration.
The following is an overview of the television ratings for the NBC's National Hockey League telecasts.
The 1994 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1993–94 season, and the culmination of the 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks were making the club's second Finals appearance, their first coming during their Cinderella run of 1982, and the Rangers were making their tenth appearance, their first since 1979. The Rangers, despite losing a 3-1 series lead, ended their then record 54-year championship drought with a victory in Game 7 to claim the long-awaited Stanley Cup. It was their fourth championship in franchise history.
The 1993–94 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 68th season. The highlight of the season was winning the Stanley Cup and hosting the NHL All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers clinched their second Presidents' Trophy and sixth division title by finishing with the best record in the NHL at 52–24–8, setting a then-franchise record with 112 points.
The National Hockey League has never fared as well on American television in comparison to the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, or the National Football League, although that has begun to change, with NBC's broadcasts of the final games of the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 Stanley Cup Finals scoring some of the best ratings ever enjoyed by the sport on American television.
The 2010 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2009–10 season, and the culmination of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers. It was Chicago's eleventh appearance in the Finals and their first since 1992, a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was Philadelphia's eighth appearance in the Finals and their first since 1997, a loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Chicago defeated Philadelphia four games to two to win their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history, and their first since 1961, ending the longest active Stanley Cup drought.
The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2010–11 season, and the culmination of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks in seven games to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972. Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.
NHL on Sportsnet is the blanket title for presentations of the National Hockey League broadcast held by a Canadian media corporation, Rogers Communications, showing on its television channel Sportsnet and other networks owned by or affiliated with its Rogers Media division, as well as the Sportsnet Radio chain. Sportsnet previously held the national cable rights for NHL regular season and playoff games from 1998 to 2002. In November 2013, Rogers reached a 12-year deal to become the exclusive national television and digital rightsholder for the NHL in Canada, beating out both CBC Sports and TSN.
The 2015 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2014–15 season, and the culmination of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two to win their sixth championship in franchise history, and their third title in six seasons.
The National Hockey League (NHL) is shown on national television in the United States and Canada. With 25 teams in the U.S. and 7 in Canada, the NHL is the only one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada that maintains separate national broadcasters in each country, each producing separate telecasts of a slate of regular season games, playoff games, and the Stanley Cup Finals.
The men's tournament marked the second Olympic Games where the National Hockey League took a break to allow all its players the opportunity to play.
The NHL Centennial Classic was a regular season outdoor National Hockey League (NHL) game that was held on January 1, 2017. The game featured the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field in Toronto. This was the first time an NHL outdoor game was played in Toronto.
This is a list of television ratings for NBA Finals in the United States, based on Nielsen viewing data. The highest rated and most watched NBA Finals series was the 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, which averaged an 18.7 rating / 33 share and 29.04 million viewers on NBC. That series also featured the highest rated and most watched NBA Finals game, as the Sunday night averaged a 22.3 rating / 38 share and 35.89 million viewers. The 1987 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics was the highest rated and most watched NBA Finals series on CBS, averaging a 15.9 rating / 32 share and 24.12 million viewers. Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals registered the network's highest rated and most watched NBA game with a 21.2 rating / 37 share.
From 1965 through 1975, in addition to the Saturday night game on CBC, Hockey Night in Canada also produced and broadcast a Wednesday night game on CTV, CBC's privately owned competitor; beginning in the 1975–76 NHL season, these midweek games began to broadcast by local stations. In 1970–71, the Vancouver Canucks joined the NHL, meaning that there were now three possible venues for an HNIC telecast.
Since 2000, the CBC has aired an annual special Hockey Day in Canada broadcast to celebrate the game in Canada. The broadcast includes hockey-related features all afternoon, leading up to a tripleheader of NHL action featuring the seven Canadian teams. One exception was the 2008 edition that featured four games including two American teams along with the six Canadian teams; this was due to the NHL's schedule format at the time, as there was no inter-conference games between Canadian teams. Lead commentators, Don Cherry and Ron MacLean broadcast from a remote area. The broadcast includes live broadcast segments from smaller communities right across the country and features panel discussions on issues facing "Canada's game" at both the minor and pro levels. The day is usually in mid-February, but was broadcast in early January in 2002 and 2006 due to the 2002 Winter Olympics and 2006 Winter Olympics, respectively; the 2007 event was also held in January, though no sporting events key to Canada were scheduled.
On April 19, 2011, after ESPN, Turner Sports, and Fox Sports placed bids, NBC Sports announced it had reached a ten-year extension to its U.S. television contract with the NHL worth nearly $2 billion over the tenure of the contract. The contract would cover games on both NBC and sister cable channel Versus, which became part of the NBC Sports family as the result of Versus parent Comcast's controlling purchase of NBC Universal earlier in 2011.
If recent NHL news has been grim—the rating for Game 3 of the final on ABC was 1.4, the second lowest for any prime-time show in the history of the major networks—the league's short-term prospects are even bleaker.
On June 7, NBC televised Game 1 of the NBA Finals and earned a 10.5 rating in the Nielsens. One night later ABC aired Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals, a triple-overtime duel for the ages in which the Stars defeated the Devils 1-0. That match earned a 4.2. That was the highest national rating a hockey game had received since 1980, when the Cup-deciding Flyers-Islanders Game 6 pulled a 4.4 on CBS.
The broadcast on Sportsnet/CBC averaged 4.1 million for Game 5 and 3.6 million for the series
A record-busting 8.7 million Canadians were...watching the Canadian men's hockey team snatch gold from the United States in Salt Lake City. The television audience actually peaked at 10.6 million, the CBC said Monday...CBC says that prior to Sunday, its highest-rated sports show was Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks, which attracted an average of 4.97 million viewers
Cole's three most memorable TV games: 1. Game 7 of the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals (Edmonton 3, Philadelphia 1). The Oilers at their peak. 2. Game 3 of 1996 World Cup of Hockey Final (United States 5, Canada 2). 'I was devastated.' 3. Game 7, 1994 Stanley Cup Finals (New York Rangers 3, Vancouver 2). 'A great series.'