Stanley Cup Ratings Down 11%
- June 13, 2001
The five games between the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils broadcast on ABC produced an average national rating of 3.3. The network's four finals games last year, between New Jersey and Dallas, averaged a 3.7.
ESPN showed the first two games of the finals each year.
Colorado's 3-1 victory over New Jersey in Game 7 on Saturday night drew a 4.2 national rating - the same as for Games 5 and 6 last year, when New Jersey won in six games.
The bright spot for the NHL and ABC is that more male viewers aged 18-49 - a group advertisers hope to reach - watched this year.
For comparison's sake, this year's five-game average on ABC is about 70% lower than what the World Series and NBA Finals each averaged in 2000.
During the regular season, the NHL averaged 1.1 ratings for its five broadcasts on ABC, down 15% from the ratings for four games last season. It's also 48% lower than Fox's regular-season NHL telecasts in 1996.
Ratings were down 5% on ESPN and 14% on ESPN2 during the regular season.
Sunday night's Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals, meanwhile, produced a 12.7 national rating on NBC. Through three games, the series between the Lakers and 76ers is averaging 12.3, 18% higher than last year between the Lakers and Pacers.
- The Associated Press
