NHL Seeing Increased Ratings In Non-Traditional Markets

Just received this press release from the National Hockey League in regards to its ratings once again. This time, it’s about the numbers the league is seeing in non-traditional NHL markets. To see good numbers in San Diego, Louisville and San Antonio is exactly what the NHL wants to have. Here’s a look at the press release from the NHL.

STANLEY CUP VIEWERSHIP IN U.S. BEST IN 8 YEARS 

    
Non-Traditional Markets Show Impressive Growth Including San Diego, Seattle, Kansas City, New Orleans, San Antonio 

CBC Up 64 Percent 

   All-Time Playoff Attendance Mark Set 

NEW YORK (June 9, 2010) –Heading into tonight’s crucial Game 6, the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final have been a success by every measure with landmark TV ratings nationally and locally, huge gains across all digital platforms and growth in non-traditional markets. That success has been mirrored with impressive results for NHL merchandise sales and a new playoff attendance mark being set.

NBC/VERSUS COMBINE FOR BEST FIVE-GAME VIEWERSHIP IN 8 YEARS

Overall through five Stanley Cup Final games, VERSUS and NBC are averaged 4.6 million viewers per game, up 10 percent from last year (4.1 million) and the most since ABC/ESPN averaged 5.1 million viewers for the first five games in 2002.

NBC averaged a 3.0 household rating and 5.4 million viewers per broadcast for their first three games of this year’s Final, up 15 percent and 14 percent respectively from last year’s three-game average of a 2.6 and 4.7 million viewers. The three-game average viewership on NBC is the most for a broadcast network since ABC averaged 5.8 million viewers for three broadcasts in 2002.

Through five games, the Stanley Cup Final on CBC is averaging 2.935 million viewers up 64 percent over last year (1.793 million).

STANLEY CUP FINAL
 
Top NHL Market Rating Increases (NBC/VERSUS)
1. Chicago – + 843%
2. Philadelphia – + 457%
3. Denver – + 44%
4. Buffalo – + 35%
T5. Phoenix – + 25%
T5. San Francisco – + 25%

Top Non NHL Market Rating Increases (NBC/VERSUS)
1. Kansas City – + 80%
2. Greenville – + 75%
3. Salt Lake City – + 67%
4. San Diego – + 64%
5. Seattle – + 56%
6. New Orleans – + 50%

TOTAL PLAYOFFS
 
Top NHL Market Rating Increases (NBC/VERSUS)
1. Chicago – + 183%
2. Philadelphia – + 138%
3. San Francisco – + 57%
4. Buffalo – + 32%
5. Boston – + 25% 

Top Non NHL Market Rating Increases (NBC/VERSUS)
1. San Diego – + 120%
T2. Louisville – + 100%
T2. San Antonio – + 100%
4. Providence – + 83%
5. Sacramento – + 75%

NHL.COM MARKET INCREASES

Top 20 U.S. Markets in Unique Visitors By Percentage Growth 2009-2010

1. Kansas City – + 165%
2. Boston – + 138%
3. Philadelphia – + 106%
4. Phoenix – + 98%
5. Chicago – + 89%
6. Denver – + 75%
7. Peoria – + 74%
8. T8. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose – + 57%

T8. Nashville – + 57%  

10. Sacramento – + 56% 

11. Austin – + 52% 

12. Milwaukee –  + 48%  

13. Seattle –  + 46%  

14. Spokane –  + 42%  

15. Portland (Maine) — + 39%  

16. Los Angeles –  + 38%  

17. San Antonio –  + 37%  

T18. Buffalo — + 35%  

T18. Little Rock — 3+ 5% 20. Portland (Ore.) — + 34%

Overall, increased numbers for the NHL. Let’s see if they can capitalize on this for next season.