U.S. hockey ratings must have Bettman smiling

Maybe Ron MacLean doesn't have to feel so sorry for Gary Bettman after all.

The Hockey Night In Canada host told The FAN 590 last week after his uncomfortable interview with the NHL boss that he felt sorry for Bettman because of all the pressure he was under, what will all those franchises in trouble and everything. Well, Bettman's probably feeling pretty good these days thanks to surprisingly good TV ratings in the U.S.

NBC recorded a 4.0 rating for Sunday's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final, a 54 per cent increase over last year and the best overnight rating in eight seasons. Add to that the fact that the Versus broadcast last Wednesday topped all other cable channels, and Bettman's month is getting a lot better.

On this side of the border, CBC continues to score some pretty big numbers. Ratings are up 64 per cent over last year, though how much the new ratings system plays into that is unknown.

Regardless, they'll only get better if this series goes the distance.

Not to sound repetitive, but the Blue Jays continue to ride high on television. Their three-game weekend series with the New York Yankees averaged more than 600,000 viewers.

Here are the top weekend sports audiences on English-language television, according to BBM Canada overnight calculations:

1. NHL, Flyers at Blackhawks, Sunday, CBC: 3,396,000*

2. NHL, Blackhawks at Flyers, Friday, CBC: 2,439,000*

3. NHL, Hockey Night In Canada pre-game, Sunday, CBC: 1,117,000

4. MLB, Yankees at Blue Jays, Saturday, Sportsnet: 671,000

5. MLB, Yankees at Blue Jays, Sunday, Sportsnet: 640,000

6. MLB, Yankees at Blue Jays, Friday, Sportsnet: 584,000

7. Auto racing, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Sunday, TSN: 502,000

8. NBA, Celtics at Lakers, Sunday, TSN: 291,000*

8. PGA, The Memorial final round, Sunday, Global/CBS: 249,000

10. Tennis, French Open men's final, Sunday, TSN: 185,000*

11. Horse racing, Belmont Stakes, Saturday, TSN: 165,000*

12.. PGA, The Memorial third round, Saturday, Global/CBS: 154,000

13. MLB, Red Sox at Orioles, Sunday, Sportsnet: 150,000

14.. Tennis, French Open women's final, Saturday, TSN: 145,000*

* Viewers for U.S. channels not calculated

TOTH IS BACK: After leaving the Rogers family on what he called a mutual decision, Mike Toth is now officially a Newstalk 1010 (CFRB) guy. He has signed on as sports director and will work the morning show. ``I'm really enjoying working full-time on radio," Toth says. ``In television, you're under such strict time requirements and radio offers a much better outlet for expressing opinions and telling stories. The only downside is that unless you're a big star, such as Bob McCown, television pays better than radio so I'm not eating at too many restaurants these days. But I'm having lots of fun, saving a few bucks and even dropping a couple pounds I needed to lose." He obviously hasn't lost his sense of humour.

Comments

[Brett S]

Considering all the hype that TSN gives to the NBA Finals (including producing their own pre-game show) it sure seems like an enormous waste of time and money. Do these TV guys even understand that the ratings for the NBA Finals are lower than a NASCAR race? The NBA is by far the most overrated and overestimated and overhyped sport in Canada. It blows soccer out of the water.

[Mike]

Going up against a Stanley Cup game certainly had a lot to do with the lower game 2 ratings. Game 1 that was played against no hockey was more than 50% higher.And I'm sure the demos are much more favourable for the NBA than they are for NASCAR, making it a better sports property.

[Joel]

"Considering all the hype that TSN gives to the NBA Finals (including producing their own pre-game show) it sure seems like an enormous waste of time and money"

NHL ratings are terrible in the USA compared to the other sports leagues, but you don't see anyone there complain about it. NBA isn't popular in Canada, I get that. Also you have to consider that one of those games were played during the same time as the NHL finals.

[Josh]

The NBA Finals did so bad because it was up against hockey. The rest of the series should do a lot better now that hockey is done.

[Philip]

Brett S: "Do these TV guys even understand that the ratings for the NBA Finals are lower than a NASCAR race?"

Not only that but Formula One races at 8AM on a Sunday get higher ratings than the NBA Finals (NOT counting Francophone Quebec!) yet compare the ridiculous coverage the NBA gets in the Canadian media compared to F1 and other sports.

[VWater]

I'm surprised you didn't put Saturday MLS game with KC vs TFC. From my understanding it had the years best ratings at 193,000 (pre-show and game) So is my source incorrect or did you accidently skip it. Or worse being influenced by Mike Hogan and not putting up positive TFC numbers lol just joking (that's right I heard your interview with him)

Was never a fan Toth as a host or anchor, and when he said no woman has the knowledge of sports that a men in the industry has, his credibility went out the window. But he has been decent on CFRB. He and Moore has good chemistry and short amounts of Toth seems to work best.

[Rick Grace]

Which is why basketball will never amount to anything in this country.
Because they always have to go up against hockey.

[Joel]

NHL has been in available in Canada for generations. NBA has been in Canada since 95. That alone will tell you that comparing both sports is stupid. NHL will always be at the top in ratings.

[JGH]

Rick....Baseball was Tier 3 a few weeks ago...we told you that a decent team would produce ratings....it's now in 'Friday Night Football' territory ...

[DLind]

671,000 for a regular season Jays game is pretty phenomenal - even with the new PPMs. That's not too far off regional Leaf games.

[Rick Grace]

Not really.
Last year it was around 700,000.
This year I am predicting the league will average between 900,000 and a million viewers.
And if they ever expanded to Quebec City or Moncton along with Ottawa, you're looking at this league rivalling hockey.

And I wouldn't call 150,000 CFL territory.
You see, you have to include all baseball.
Not just the Toronto team.

[Brett S]

Joel, the NBA might only have franchises in Canada since 95, but games have been available on TV since the very beginning. By your reasoning, the NBA would have a competitive advantage over the NFL in Canada too, even though the NFL is the 3rd biggest sport in Canada after hockey and CFL.

[Asim13285]

they'll only get better if this series goes the distance.good

[Josh]

How is adding Quebec City or Moncton going to make the CFL rival hockey? Its not like you are adding a big city with either.

After PPM came into effect last fall Friday Night Football averaged around 800, 000. So yes hockey, football, curling and baseball are the top sports in Canada, in that order.

[Rick Grace]

How is that going to increase ratings?
You add Moncton, you add the maritime provinces as a whole.
Who knows. Maybe Halifax next.
You add Quebec City, you bring in another million plus people from that area.
Plus you form a huge rivalry with Montreal.
You add two to three more teams, you expand your market place.
And you expand your TV money.
People who think the CFL is going to stay this little 8 team league and eventually disappear are in for a rude awakening over the next 5 years.

[steve@thespec]

I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Toth is having a tough time on his salary as sports director at CFRB.
I'll be sure to mention that to my 23-year-old daughter who has just ended up as a single mother raising a 14-month-old baby on her own, in an apartment she can't afford, with no transportation, all while trying to make ends meet on her part-time hours job. I'll be sure to tell her to stay out of radio and stick with TV.

[Mike]

Moncton IS a small market. It's only the 12th biggest media market in the country and that's with lumping in Saint John and Fredrickton too. The whole province is not much bigger than Mississauga.
I agree that adding it won't increase ratings much. In fact, something that small might bring the overall average down.

[Rick Grace]

You bring in Moncton, you bring in the whole maritime region.
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland.
Maybe Halifax as a franchise eventually.
The rabid response to the Argos game in Moncton shows this is an untapped market.
If I had money I'd invest in a CFL franchise.
This league is on the virge of exploding.

[Josh]

I live in New Brunswick and I love the CFL, but I'm sorry Rick you are wrong. Adding a team to Moncton is not going to make anyone else watch on TV here, there will be no difference in TSN's ratings. Quebec City won't change them any either.