NHL basks in outdoor rating
The outdoor game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh on Tuesday afternoon drew an overnight television rating of 2.6 with a five share on NBC, the NHL's highest overnight rating since Feb. 3, 1996 for regional coverage on FOX (3.0 rating/7 share). The overnight rating also surpassed Wayne Gretzky's final game on April 18, 1999 (2.5 rating/6 share).
So, you can bet on the NHL doing this again.
Understandably, Buffalo was the highest rated metered market with a 38.2 rating and 58 share and Pittsburgh (17.7/30). Interestingly, the New York/New Jersey area was not in the top 10.
Top Ten Metered Markets (numbers provided by NHL)
1. Buffalo 38.2/58
2. Pittsburgh 17.7/30
3. Minneapolis 5.1/11
4. Denver 3.7/7
T5. Providence 3.5/7
T5. Las Vegas 3.5/6
7. St. Louis 3.3/5
8. Boston 3.2/6
9. Sacramento 2.9/6
T10. Richmond 2.8/5
T10. Hartford 2.8/5
TG;
These numbers are amazing to me!!! the fact that Las Vegas, Richmond, and Sacramento are in the top 10 and New York is not..... simply amazing!
Keep up the good work TG and happy new year to you and your family
Posted by: RJ Arditti | January 02, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Devils vs. Rangers....Giants Stadium....
Posted by: cmrcoach | January 02, 2008 at 04:22 PM
No Detroit either...most overrated hockey city in America. Band wagon fans from the great 90's Wings. Nobody was there when Yzerman & Co. struggled in the 80's.
Posted by: Jason | January 02, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Devs vs Rags at Giants Stadium!
Who would be the home team?
Posted by: devfan-ru- | January 02, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I would love a game in Giants Stadium, but the weather here is too unpredictable this time of year. Example: supposed to be 20 degrees tomorrow and back in the 50's next week! That type of weather would immediately destroy the event. Probably will look at Chicago or a Canadian city next
Posted by: Jason | January 02, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Personally i don;t care if they are called the New York Giants in Giants Stadium, the game is IN NEW JERSEY! The Devils should be the home team
Posted by: RJ Arditti | January 02, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Jason, I agree that the weather in the tri-state area is too unpredictable. The average high/low in January for East Rutherford is 36/17. Perhaps they could do it with some type of flex-scheduling though.
I would love for the Devils to play the Rangers in either the Meadowlands or Yankee Stadium.
Posted by: Matt M | January 02, 2008 at 04:57 PM
My wife and I signed up for Arbitron's ratings system, so hopefully we'll give NJ a bump.
Posted by: Jim A. | January 02, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Michigan was playing a bowl game against Florida at the same time, so I'm sure that dominated the ratings in the Detroit area.
Posted by: TG | January 02, 2008 at 07:08 PM
The Winter Classic got a 2.4 in the NY area, according to Newsday's Neil Best.
Remember, there are a lot more people in New York/North New Jersey than say, Hartford.
But TG, I think the sound you just heard was the NHL taking a huge check from Jerry Bruckheimer to put a club in Vegas after what they drew there.
Posted by: Steve Lepore | January 02, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Heh I almost ended up working for Arbitron, I still might. Those are great ratings. I seem to remember the Devils drew great ratings during one of their playoffs too.
Posted by: MoonDragn | January 03, 2008 at 09:17 AM