We are one season removed from ESPN and TNT taking over as the NHL’s primary national television providers and unfortunately, things aren’t all flowers and roses.
The 2022-23 NHL season is more than halfway over now. On Tuesday, it was revealed that national hockey ratings are down in the United States by 22 percent. According to Mark J. Burns of Morning Consult, the NHL’s average viewership has dropped from 478,000 to 373,000 this season, surely not something Gary Bettman wants to see on his 30th anniversary as league commissioner.
Though the move back to ESPN after 17 years should have rejuvenated interested in hockey, it seems as if fans’ interest is waning this season.
NHL U.S. TV national viewership is down 22% this season, per findings from @AustinKarp.
NHL regular games to date have averaged 373,000 viewers on ESPN/TNT, 2nd season of the league's 7-year pact with Disney & Turner.
NHL averaged 478,000 viewers at this point last season.
— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) February 1, 2023
There is some good news for the NHL, as Disney has reportedly sold out ad time for the upcoming All-Star Weekend in Florida on February 3 and 4. Still, it’s clear things aren’t going according to plan for the NHL in terms of raw ratings.
NHL fans, on the other hand, were extremely vocal in their displeasure with how the league has marketed itself this season. From frustrating local blackouts to head-scratching scheduling decisions and more, NHL fans didn’t hold back in their criticism.