On the day of Game Five of a GREAT Stanley Cup series, it’s time to look at a couple of reports about how the games are doing in the ratings in KC.
First, Kansas City has been mentioned in a couple of articles relating to the improved ratings for Game 1 and 2 of this year’s Stanley Cup.
In the USA Today, the article by sports television writer Michael Hiestand praises the Stanley Cup Playoff game on Memorial Day weekend for topping, what is traditionally, a racing weekend (except in my house…it’s a lacrosse weekend). The article, NBC’s Stanley Cup Final tops NASCAR, Indy 500 on TV , also says
NBC is also helped by having big-market teams. Cup Final games are averaging 21% of Chicago households and 15.9% of Philadelphia households.
Absolutely. Big market teams, one of them from the Original Six, with large, potentially nation-wide audiences.
Another blog post passes on the spin from the NHL.
NHL Chimes in On NBC Ratings
Three non-NHL markets have shown triple digit rating increases for the first two games of the Final led by Seattle, which has seen a remarkable 213 percent rise. Kansas City (+140%) and Memphis (+120) have also earned substantial gains.
Sure, up 140% sounds great. What if you look at the actual numbers?
Well, they really aren’t very impressive. Game 1 drew a 1.7 rating and 3 share and Game 2 drew a .7/1.4. A 1.7 rating means that of all households in the DMA, 1.7 percent of them were watching the game. Of all televisions in the DMA that were on three percent of them were watching the game.
Eh. So, I guess up 140% is a great thing. I guess. To be honest, there was just so much room for growth that being up 140% doesn’t impress me. St. Louis drew a 3.2 for the Stanley Cup. Until KC’s ratings get up around 2.5, I wouldn’t be too excited. I know the local sales guys are 41 probably aren’t.
Ratings are much, much higher in non-NHL markets Orlando and Las Vegas. Does that mean that those two metros should be on the list if a new owner chooses to relocate an NHL franchise after he purchases it? Of course not.
