The NBA Finals’ Ratings Lull Is Unsettling News
The
As we approach the halfway mark of the highly anticipated NHL Stanley Cup Final, a question lingers in the minds of casual hockey fans: what’s it going to take to get you to tune in? The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers have been delivering tight, evenly matched games that are riveting to watch, with 32 goals scored so far in the series. But despite this excitement, TNT Sports’ TV ratings have been underwhelming, averaging only 2.41 million viewers per night.
The numbers aren’t terribly shocking, considering the matchup between a Sunbelt squad and a Canadian team with no stateside market representation was always going to be a drag on the ratings. However, the absence of a big-reach broadcaster like ABC or ESPN has made it difficult for TNT Sports to capitalize on this bonkers matchup. In contrast, sports networks in Canada have been able to draw significant audiences, with Sportsnet/CBC averaging 4.19 million viewers through Game 3.
The NHL’s struggles with pay-TV penetration and cord-cutting are well-documented. The legacy pay-TV bundle lost another 12% of its subscriber base in the first quarter, bringing overall penetration down to just 36% of all U.S. TV households. According to estimates, approximately 65.2 million consumers subscribe to some sort of video package, leaving a significant gap between viewers and potential fans.
So, what’s it going to take to get you to tune in? Will the Oilers’ quest to hoist Canada’s first Cup since 1993 be enough to draw you in? Or will the excitement of this evenly matched series keep you hooked despite the underwhelming TV numbers? With a combined home-market reach of only 1.99 million TV households, the NBA Finals’ hometown markets are struggling to capture attention.
The NBA is facing a similar challenge, with ratings down 23% compared to last year’s Finals. Despite Games 1 and 2 being the highest-rated programs in May and June so far on television, the series still needs to rely on its loyal fanbase to fill out arenas. Can the NBA Finals grind on for seven games and draw in enough viewers to boost ratings?
As the series continues to unfold, one thing is clear: every day the NHL season gets extended is a win for hockey fans. The Oilers-Panthers Stanley Cup Final has been delivering high-quality hockey that’s captivated audiences in Canada, and with the possibility of a seventh game, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next. Will you be tuning in to see the thrilling conclusion?
