Apparently, The Blackhawks Still Had Room to Grow, Ratings-wise

Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, posted significant television ratings for the first month of the 2010-11 NHL season, which resulted in solid game, pre-game & post-game ratings increases compared to last season.

Comcast SportsNet’s Blackhawks ratings averaged a 2.82 household average rating in October (approx. 98,773 households watching per game) — a 77% increase over last October’s 1.59 average. Compared to October 2008’s 0.97 household average, Blackhawks ratings for October ‘10 were up 191%…compared to three years ago in October 2007 (0.41), ratings for this October increased 588%.

The key advertiser demos of Men 25-54 and Adults 25-54 also received solid ratings increases compared to last season. For Men 25-54, October monthly ratings were up 72% (3.1 in Oct. ’10, compared to a 1.8 in Oct. ’09). For Adults 25-54, monthly ratings increased 77% (2.3 in Oct. ’10, compared to a 1.3 in Oct. ’09).

All ten of Comcast SportsNet’s Blackhawks telecasts this October averaged at least a 2.0 household rating. Last October, only one game averaged at least a 2.0 rating. In addition to its ratings increases for game telecasts, Comcast SportsNet’s Chevy Blackhawks Pre-Game Live household ratings were up 200% compared to last October (up 150% for Adults 25-54), while Jose Cuervo Blackhawks Post Game Live ratings increased 117% for households (up 80% for Adults 25-54). Source for all ratings information is provided by Nielsen Media Research.

Official Word on NHL/Discover Partnership

(NEW YORK, NY) November 8, 2010 – Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a new sponsorship naming Discover as an Official Partner of the NHL® in the U.S. The sponsorship also designates Discover as the Official Card of the NHL, NHL All-Star Weekend, NHL Winter Classic, NHL Awards™, and the NHL Entry Draft. As part of the deal, Discover has become the presenting sponsor of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

“Partnering with the NHL gives us great opportunities to connect with our cardmembers around their passion for the sport of Hockey,” said Harit Talwar, president of U.S. Cards for Discover. “Through various cardmember exclusives and unique experiences, including special access to the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover, we are providing meaningful reasons for cardmembers to use their Discover Card everyday. It’s another great way to show how it pays to Discover.”

 

The partnership extends Discover’s existing investment in hockey, giving them extended opportunities to engage with U.S. hockey fans nationwide and develop exclusive hockey-themed rewards opportunities and experiences across various NHL special events. In unprecedented fashion, one lucky Discover cardmember will have the opportunity to spend a personal day with the Stanley Cup.

 

“Discover’s passion for providing unique rewards and experiences to their cardmembers is an excellent fit with the NHL where we are predicated on engaging and mobilizing fans around big events,” said Keith Wachtel, Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales & Marketing for the NHL. “This coupled with Discover’s significant support of our broadcast partners and NHL controlled media assets will provide a deeper engagement with our highly desirable fan demographic.”

 

In addition through this partnership, Discover will offer opportunities for cardmembers to redeem their Cashback® Bonus rewards for discounts to Shop.NHL.com and the NHL Powered by Reebok store in New York City, GameCenter Live subscriptions, autographed NHL merchandise, and more.

 

Game On: ESPN to Bid For NHL Rights, Potentially as Soon as January

From Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek:

In a move that would serve to kneecap the ambitions of Comcast-NBC Universal, ESPN is poised to take a run at the rights for the National Hockey League.

And the battle for the NHL could function as a dry run for ESPN’s pursuit of a far bigger prize: the Olympics. That said, Bristol does not have an open field spread out before it; as the incumbent cable rights holder, Comcast’s Versus has first dibs.

Before the crush of the holidays puts New York on ice, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will meet with Versus brass to discuss a renewal. Per the terms of their original pact, Versus has an exclusive window with the league, and while neither side would comment on the matter, sources indicate that the NHL is open to lining up a new TV partner.

NBC’s broadcast deal is also running down; while Versus pays $72.5 million per year for the rights to carry NHL games, the Peacock doesn’t part with a red cent. Rather than pony up for hockey rights, NBC reached a revenue-sharing deal that sees it split its ad dollars with the league.

Given that the Comcast-NBCU deal could close as soon as year’s end, any formal agreements should hold until at least January, opening the way for NBC and Versus to offer a joint bid. “We’re dealing with consummate professionals at NBC and Versus,” Bettman said. “We’re not viewing this situation as anything but business as usual.”

Rest assured, ESPN isn’t all that concerned with what Ebersol wants. While Bristol is officially playing coy about its goals, evp of content John Skipper has said that he is interested in bringing the NHL back into the fold. The enmity that strained talks between ESPN and the NHL back in ’05 is a distant memory, and franchise owners are hungry to reclaim prelockout ratings.

ESPN’s move to end its 21-year run with the league was a culmination of weeks of public badmouthing by former evp, programming & production Mark Shapiro. “That guy shit all over the NHL,” said one network exec. “They probably could have had the rights for $55 million, but Shapiro went out and talked to anybody with a laptop and a pulse, and Bodenheimer had to back him up.”

As Versus huddles with the NHL, Bettman will be reminded that Comcast provided a huge cash infusion when the league needed it most.

Thing is, he’s not a nostalgic guy. “Bettman’s not going to get all dewy-eyed about his relationship with Versus,” said one network boss. “He’s all business, he’s back in the driver’s seat and he’s going to get the deal that’s best for the NHL.”

Discover Ponies Up to Sponsor the All-Star Game

From Richard Sandomir of the NY Times:

Just over two months ago, Discover Card acquired the naming rights to the Orange Bowl for four years and to the 2013 B.C.S. national championship game. On Monday, Discover will announce that it is the official credit card of the N.H.L. in the United States and the presenting sponsor of its 2011 All-Star Game in Raleigh, N.C.

Visa is the league’s credit card partner in Canada through this season.

The one-year Discover deal, which is worth $5 million, will also let cardholders redeem their cash rewards for discounts on N.H.L. merchandise. Also, one cardholder will be able to spend a day with the Stanley Cup. The way that person will be chosen has not been determined.

 

Blues/Sharks Highest-Rated Regular Season Game in FSN Midwest History

From FS Midwest on Twitter:

#STLBlues are on fire: Last night’s win is believed to be highest-rated regular season Blues game ever on FSMW (5.6 HH rtg in STL). #nhl

Prior to last night, top-rated #STLBlues regular season game on FSMW was 3/29/00.

The full release:

ST. LOUIS – The Blues enjoyed a 5.6 household rating last night as they shutout the San Jose Sharks, 2-0 at Scottrade Center. Last night’s viewer-ship eclipsed their previous FOX Sports Midwest high, a 5.0 rating on March 29, 2000 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jaroslav Halak earned his third shutout in just his ninth game played with the Blues, surpassing Jacques Plante as the quickest goaltender in Blues history to record three shutouts.

”We are pleased but not surprised at the enthusiasm St. Louis has shown in both its viewer-ship and attendance at Scottrade Center this season,” said St. Louis Blues Vice Chairman and CEO Mike McCarthy. “At this point early in the season, to have had six sellouts and the highest rating in FOX Sports Midwest history is a true indication of the bond between this team and its fans.”

The Blues’ win over San Jose last night was powered by many of the team’s offensive leaders. The Blues’ co-goal scoring leaders Matt D’Agostini and David Perron each tallied their fifth goals of the season while assist front-runner, T.J. Oshie, added his ninth helper and the Blues’ top-scoring defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo, recorded two assists in the game.

Halak completed his third shutout of the year, all coming in his last four starts. In his last four games, Halak has turned aside 105 of 108 shots (.972) and played 11 of 12 periods (229:06) in shutout fashion, including 5 minutes and 50 seconds of overtime. He is now tied for the lead league in shutouts, third in wins (7), fourth in GAA (1.53) and sixth in save percentage (.940).

 

St. Louis’ victory over the Sharks last night moved them to 7-1-2 (16pts) and vaulted them to the top of the Central Division. In addition, they currently sit second in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Kings with two less games played than the Conference leader. Their 6-0-0 start at Scottrade Center is the best home record in the league and has extended their franchise best home winning streak to 12 games. Historically, the Blues are off to their second best 10-game start in franchise history, only their 8-1-1 (17pts) start in 2002-03 has been better.

 

Blues Ratings Up 34%

The St. Louis Blues are off to a hot start on the ice and on TV.

 

Blues TV ratings rose approximately 34 percent over last October, and October 2010 may rank as the best season-opening month ever for Blues games on FOX Sports Midwest.

 

Final ratings for October are not yet available because a rating for the season opener – traditionally one of the most-watched games of the season – has not yet been determined by Nielsen Media Research (FOX Sports Midwest televised both the Blues opener and the Mizzou football game the night of Oct. 9).

 

Excluding the season opener, Blues telecasts on FOX Sports Midwest averaged a 3.0 household rating in October in the St. Louis DMA. That places the Blues fourth among U.S.-based NHL teams in 2010-11 (behind Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Detroit).

 

Thursday’s shutout win at Nashville (3.8 rating) and Saturday’s comeback victory over Atlanta (3.9) were the highest-rated regular season games on FOX Sports Midwest since Oct. 17, 2007 and rank among the most-watched regular season Blues games on FOX Sports Midwest in the last 10 years.

 

Both games went head-to-head with World Series games on FOX.

 

Highest Rated Regular Season Blues games on FOX Sports Midwest (since 2000-01)

 

1. April 9, 2002 vs. Nashville 4.0

2. Oct. 17, 2007 at Chicago 3.9

3. Oct. 30, 2010 vs. Atlanta 3.9

4. March 20, 2001 vs. NY Islanders 3.9

5. Oct. 28, 2010 at Nashville 3.8

Your Announcers and Open Thread For Sharks-Wild

San Jose vs. Minnesota, 8:00 PM ET, VERSUS (HD)
Play by Play: Joe Beninati
Color: Billy Jaffe
Reporter: Bob Harwood

HBO To Present Preview of Caps 24/7 November 20th

New York (November 2, 2010) – HBO Sports® will present “Preview to 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road To The NHL Winter Classic,” a 12-minute preview of the upcoming NHL reality series featuring the spirited rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, which is set to air exclusively on HBO. Debuting Saturday, Nov. 20 at 12:15 a.m. ET/9:15 p.m. PT (or immediately following the conclusion of the live World Championship Boxing telecast from Atlantic City), the special will serve as a primer to the acclaimed series for new viewers as well an introduction of the players and coaches from the Penguins and Capitals, who will appear on the all-access series.

 

The Capitals are guided by Bruce Boudreau, while the Penguins’ head coach is Dan Bylsma. The two Eastern Conference rivals led by superstars Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby will meet in the NHL’s Bridgestone Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

 

“Preview to 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic” will air a total of 14 times on the main service plus five times on HBO2. The preview will also be available 24 hours a day at HBO ON DEMAND®, starting Nov. 29.

 

 

HBO replay schedule:

 

Sat. Nov. 20 at 5:40 a.m.

Sun. Nov. 21 at 12:45 p.m.

Wed. Nov. 24 at 9:45 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 26 at 12 midnight

Sat. Nov. 27 at 1:15 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 6 at 3:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

Tue. Dec. 7 at 11:15 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 10 at 7:45 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 11 at 7:45 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. PT

Sun. Dec. 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Mon. Dec. 13 at 6:15 p.m.

Tue. Dec 14 at 8:45 p.m.

 

HBO2 replay schedule:

 

Tue. Nov. 23 at 2:30 a.m.

Thur. Dec. 2 at 9:45 p.m. and 5:45 a.m.

Sat. Dec. 4 at 1:45 a.m.

Sun. Dec 12 at 9:45 p.m.

All times are ET/PT except where noted.

 

The Emmy-Award®-winning “24/7” reality franchise premieres its first-ever pro hockey series when “24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic” debuts Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. The program will air for four consecutive Wednesdays with multiple replay dates and times, including an immediate encore replay each Wednesday at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Extra Games Gives VERSUS Lower Numbers in October

While VERSUS was up from last year with it’s exclusive telecasts, showing extra NHL games kept the network from improving overall with viewers in October.

The network averaged 263,000 viewers in October for 12 telecasts, down 19% from 323,000 viewers per game for 11 games^ in October of 2009. The network broadcast six of the telecasts as what they refer to as “bonus” games – either in daytime or not exclusively in the two markets that were playing – which lowered the monthly average. VERSUS only aired two “bonus” games in October 2009.

In fact, with the exclusive games dropped, VERSUS actually saw an improvement over last season. Six exclusive telecasts averaged 383,000 viewers in the month, up 7% from 359,000 over nine exclusive telecasts in October 2009. Using this comparison, VERSUS can see some more positive growth for it’s NHL coverage. However, the bonus games – regardless of how much goodwill they build up with hockey fans – must be looked at as far as how they affect ratings in the future.

Five Most-Watched VERSUS games, October 2010

1. Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh, 10/7/10 – 730,000 viewers
2. Colorado vs. Detroit, 10/12/10 – 432,000
3. Chicago vs. Colorado, 10/7/10 – 430,000
4. Buffalo vs. Philadelphia, 10/26/10 – 347,000
5. NY Islanders vs. Washington*, 10/13/10 – 228,000

Five Least-Watched VERSUS games, October 2010

1. Minnesota vs. Carolina*, 10/7/10 – 80,000 viewers
2. Carolina vs. Minnesota*, 10/8/10 – 95,000
3. Phoenix vs. Boston*, 10/9/10 – 116,000
4. Columbus vs. San Jose*, 10/8/10 – 120,000
5. Los Angeles vs. Minnesota, 10/25/10 – 154,000

* – either aired in daytime or did not air exclusively in both team markets.
^ – ratings for 10/26/09, Minnesota-Chicago, were not available, affecting the October 2009 average