Record-setting audiences tuned in to this weekend’s 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game and Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA, according to BBM overnight data.

Broadcast live from Ottawa on Sunday, January 29, the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All Star Game on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA drew an average audience of 2.461 million viewers, besting the previous record of 2.389 million viewers set last year. In total, more than 7.3 million people took in some or all of the game, representing 22 per cent of the population.

The Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition broadcast on Saturday, January 28 also set a new record, drawing an audience of 2.468 million. More than 6.9 million people, or one in five Canadians, saw at least part of the competition.

This marks the highest rating for an NHL All-Star Game and the Skills Competition on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA since metered audience measurement began in 1989-90.

Hockey Night in Canada Game Day garnered its largest audience to date and 760,000 viewers tuned in to Scotiabank Hockey Tonight.

“The numbers make it clear the NHL All-Star Weekend on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA continues to be a must-see event for Canadian hockey fans,” said Julie Bristow, executive director, Studio and Unscripted Programming, English Services, CBC. “To see record audiences tuning in year after year exemplifies our dedication to producing the best in Canadian sports programming and to increase the game’s fan base in partnership with the NHL.”

Overall, 10.2 million Canadians tuned-in to some part of CBC’s coverage of the NHL All-Star Weekend, representing roughly 30 per cent of the population.

The game drew a 1.0 overnight rating on the NBC Sports Network. This was even with the number that VERSUS drew for last year’s All-Star Game in Raleigh. In addition, it was (as last year’s) up 22% from the game in 2009 at Montreal, the last time the All-Star Game was held in Canada. The All-Star Game was not held in 2010 due to the Olympics.

The Roseau-Warroad rivalry is one of the biggest high school rivalries in the not just Minnesota but the entire nation and NBC Sports Network knows it.

Late last week the high schools of both Roseau and Warroad were notified that NBC Sports Network (formally known as Versus) out of Los Angeles would be coming into town and doing a story on the rivalry that will be aired as part of the 2012 Hockey Day in America on February 19th.

They will be in both towns doing interviews in both rinks and local businesses regarding the importance of the rivalry between both communities. They will have both Rams Head Coach Andy Lundbohm and Warriors Head Coach Steve Haataja mic’d for the game as well as player interviews before and after the game Tuesday night.

 

Toronto vs. Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. ET, TSN
Play by Play: Chris Cuthbert
Inside the Glass: Ray Ferraro

Washington vs. Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSp/TSN2
Play by Play: Dave Strader
Inside the Glass: Brian Engblom

Chicago vs. Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. ET, TSN
Play by Play: Gord Miller
Inside the Glass: Darren Pang

Wednesday, February 1

NY Rangers vs. Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSp/TSN2
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Color: Eddie Olczyk
Inside the Glass: Pierre McGuire

Pittsburgh vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN
Play by Play: Chris Cuthbert
Inside the Glass: Ray Ferraro

Thursday, February 2

Carolina vs. Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, NHL Network US

Chicago vs. Edmonton, 9:30 p.m. ET, TSN
Play by Play: Gord Miller
Inside the Glass: Mike Johnson

Friday, February 3

Chicago vs. Calgary, 9:00 p.m. ET, TSN
Play by Play: Gord Miller
Inside the Glass: Ray Ferraro

Saturday, February 4

Pittsburgh vs. Boston, 1:00 p.m. ET, NHL Network US

Washington vs. Montreal, 2:00 p.m. ET, CBC
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Reporter: Elliotte Friedman

Toronto vs. Ottawa, 7:00 p.m. ET, CBC
Play by Play: Bob Cole
Color: Gary Galley
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Cassie Campbell

Los Angeles vs. Carolina, 7:00 p.m. ET, NHL Network US

Detroit vs. Edmonton, 10:00 p.m. ET, CBC
Play by Play: Mark Lee
Color: Kevin Weekes
Reporter: Scott Oake

Sunday, February 5

Boston vs. Washington, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBCSp
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Color: Eddie Olczyk
Inside the Glass: Pierre McGuire

Winnipeg vs. Montreal, 2:00 p.m. ET, CBC
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Reporter: Elliotte Friedman

NEW YORK (January 28, 2012) – The National Hockey League (NHL®) has

announced a new, multi-year partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and

Visitors Authority (LVCVA) that will see the NHL Awards® return to Las

Vegas for the next three years. As part of the extended partnership, which

first began in 2009, the NHL will stage numerous new events throughout the

destination in conjunction with the League’s annual post-season awards

show. The world-famous Wynn Las Vegas luxury hotel and casino resort will

host the 2012 NHL® Awards, which will be held on Wednesday, June 20, at the

Encore Theater.

As the NHL’s biggest stars, Hollywood celebrities, and hockey fans

from around the world descend on Las Vegas this June to celebrate hockey

and the season’s top performances, it will mark the fourth straight year

that the NHL has feted the best hockey players in the world in Las Vegas

and its first-ever event at Wynn Las Vegas, currently home to the

award-winning show “Le Rêve – The Dream” and country music superstar Garth

Brooks’ sold-out concert series.

The 2012 NHL Awards will honor the best regular-season players in a

wide range of categories, including most valuable player (Hart Trophy),

outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris

Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy); the Ted Lindsay Award,

which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as

voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players’ Association

(NHLPA), will also be awarded.

In the coming months, the League, the LVCVA and Wynn Las Vegas will

announce details on an expanded and exciting new awards program for 2012,

along with a number of local events designed for fans and visitors alike.

Televised live in the United States and Canada, the 2012 NHL Awards

will showcase hockey and Hollywood’s biggest stars with the excitement and

energy that only Las Vegas can provide.

“Las Vegas knows energy, entertainment and star power — elements

that our players display every night,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

“The city, the Wynn and the Encore Theater will provide a spectacular

setting for our end-of-season festivities over the next three years.”

“Las Vegas is excited to welcome the NHL Awards back to the

destination,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the LVCVA. “We have

enjoyed a great partnership, and we look forward to providing another great

experience for the League, the players and of course the fans.”

“We are pleased to be the host resort for the 2012 NHL Awards at Wynn

Las Vegas and look forward to partnering with the league and the LVCVA to

bring one of hockey’s most exciting nights to Las Vegas,” said Marilyn

Spiegel, president of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. “We look forward to

welcoming the NHL’s biggest names to Wynn Las Vegas and celebrating the

best in professional hockey.”

Nominees for each Award, along with a full line up of celebrity

guests, presenters and entertainment, as well as information on tickets and

official 2012 NHL Awards travel packages, will be announced in the coming

months. For more information, visit www.nhl.com/awards.

NEW YORK (January 28, 2012) – The National Hockey League (NHL®) today announced the selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets and the city of Columbus as hosts of the 2013 National Hockey League All-Star Celebration. The League’s mid-season showcase will take place Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27 and will include the Molson Canadian NHL SuperSkills® and the NHL All-Star Game.

The 2013 NHL All-Star Game marks the first time the NHL All-Star activities will take place in Columbus, becoming the third consecutive first-time All-Star host city. Raleigh in 2011 and Ottawa in 2012 also were first-time hosts. The Blue Jackets and Columbus have experience in holding a signature NHL event, as they hosted the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

“We’re looking forward to bringing our All-Star celebration to Columbus,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The Blue Jackets did a great job of hosting the NHL Draft in 2007, and I have no doubt they will raise the bar even higher when they welcome our All-Star celebration next January.”

“The Blue Jackets are honored to host the 2013 All-Star celebration in Columbus as we believe our city offers a truly unique setting for this special event,” said Blue Jackets Majority Owner John P. McConnell. “As much as it is a showcase for the NHL’s best players, it is also a celebration of hockey fans and having it in Columbus is a testament to the fantastic support of our fans and the strength of Central Ohio as a hockey market.”

Further details on the 2013 NHL All-Star celebration, including ticket information, special events and television broadcasting will be released at a later date.

The event, the second-annual draft of the All-Star teams, drew 408,000 viewers on NBC Sports Network. This was down 35% from last year’s numbers (624,000 on 1/28/11). Last year’s event took place on a Friday, as opposed to a Thursday this year.

Overall, 2 million people tuned into the draft across North America, with 1.6 million of those coming from Canada on TSN and RDS.

(Source: TVSportsRatings) 

Toronto, ON (January 27, 2012) – While NHL All-Star team captains Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara deliberated over their draft picks last night, hockey fans made TSN and RDS their first picks overall, as overnight data from BBM Canada confirms the MOLSON CANADIAN NHL ALL-STAR PLAYER FANTASY DRAFT hosted by James Duthie delivered an average audience of 1.6 million viewers (TSN: 1.34 million; RDS: 254,000)*.

The 90-minute broadcast on TSN was the #2 program on Canadian television last night for A25-54, A18-49, and A18-34, following THE BIG BANG THEORY on CTV.

TSN’s broadcast of the DRAFT was also watched live on NBC Sports Network in the U.S.

Overall, 3.7 million unique viewers tuned in to watch some or all of the MOLSON CANADIAN NHL ALL-STAR PLAYER FANTASY DRAFT on TSN and RDS. Audience levels peaked at 2.2 million average viewers as Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn was picked second-last in the 19-round DRAFT, making San Jose Sharks’ forward Logan Couture the last man standing on the stage.

The MOLSON CANADIAN NHL ALL-STAR PLAYER FANTASY DRAFT was also a hit on social media, as fans across Canada and around the world joined the conversation on Twitter using the hashtags #TSN and #AllStarDraft. At various points throughout the live broadcast both #TSN and #AllStarDraft were trending not only in Canada on Twitter, but worldwide as well. TSN’s James Duthie and Alyonka Larionov, along with the names of numerous NHL All-Star players, were also trending throughout the broadcast.

Fans also chimed in on TSN.ca, where the website’s live blog during the DRAFT had 18,200 participants last night. Along with chatter about the live broadcast, the blog pulled in tweets from TSN’s hockey experts and Insiders.

TSN’s broadcast of the MOLSON CANADIAN NHL ALL-STAR PLAYER FANTASY DRAFT was live from the Théâtre du Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, QC. Host Duthie was joined at the DRAFT by the NHL ON TSN panel featuring Darren Dutchyshen, Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, and analysts Marc Crawford and Aaron Ward. TSN’s Larionov was backstage in the players’ green room to give fans exclusive access inside the event, posting behind-the-scenes photos and player comments to Twitter and TSN’s Fan Page on Facebook. The DRAFT is available now on demand at TSN.ca.

TSN’s coverage of NHL All-Star Weekend continues today with the 2012 NHL ALL-STAR MEDIA DAY PRESENTED BY ALLSTATE INSURANCE from 4-6 p.m. ET, and throughout the weekend with daily reports on SPORTSCENTRE and TSN.ca.

I have a few things that I want to discuss, but don’t have enough material to let stand alone, with regards to everything that went on Thursday. So, it seems best to just do it with bullet points, as they’ll never let you down.

• The All-Star Fantasy Draft remains entertaining, leave it alone. I have a lot of ideas for how the Draft (which, as many have pointed out, is taking place in reality and is in no way a fantasy), including encouraging trades, dropping the pretense of making sure defensemen and goalies are taken by a certain round, a more neutral (i.e. maybe something that looks more like NHL Network than TSN or NBC, so neither network would look awkward simulcasting the other) broadcast, celebrity (in hockey terms) captains, and a number of other things that range from fairly sane (why not add one hockey legend to each team?) to egregiously stupid (why not let the next to last player picked get the car, and let the last two players standing debate on air why they should be picked? I mean, why not?). The fact is, though, that this event is very entertaining, James Duthie is the perfect host for this sort of thing, and the players with human qualities seems to have fun (i.e. everyone but Phil Kessel, whom my 13-year old brother observed, “hates talking). Don’t mess with this at all. It’s one of the best moments on the NHL game schedule.
• Haven’t we all learned that reading people’s tweets isn’t in any way interesting? I feel for Alyonka Larionov, who had her on-screen time limited to two silly, frivolous segments in which she read various players’ tweets. Having them roll on a bottom line graphic is fine, but reading them on the air just seems pointless to me, as it does whenever any other network broadcasting anything tries to do it. Twitter may be the biggest thing on earth, but it has no place in television.
• Cheers to NBC for at least throwing on a pre-draft show. The network is putting some effort into All-Star weekend for the first time, and part of that includes an episode of NHL Overtime from Ottawa tonight, and (in what was a surprise to me) a pre-show for the draft in which Liam McHugh, Jeremy Roenick and Keith Jones broke down the night to come, while Pierre McGuire conducted interviews. It was a nice, easy way to spend the half-hour before the draft.
• Commissioner Bettman’s radio show should be broadcast on NHL Network. The league’s television arm broadcast a light hour of NHL Live with EJ Hradek, Barry Melrose and Kevin Weekes before handing it over to something that I don’t believe has occurred before – a television simulcast of Commissioner Bettman’s radio show, The NHL Hour. I’ll confess to not having listened to the show in some time, and Bettman remains a bit nervous looking on television (though he’s certainly self-deprecating about it), I’ll admit I really enjoyed the show. The commissioner simply spending time answering questions from children was fun, and having Wayne Gretzky on to finish it up was a nice touch. I hope NHL Network eventually finds a way to get the show on the air on a more permanent basis, because it is a unique program.

The network, televising only it’s fourth game west of Dallas this season, and it’s seventh west of Minnesota, drew just 190,000 viewers for the match-up, marking NBC/VERSUS’ lowest numbers for an exclusive match-up during the 2011-12 season, lowering a limbo stick already set by the Avalanche earlier this year (SJ/COL 12/13/11: 193,000). The game was notably beaten by a replay of the AFC Championship Game between New England and Baltimore on NFL Network (202,000). The league and the network need to find a new tentpole team out west, because the Avs are dead weight when it comes to viewership.

Elsewhere, the numbers were better. Monday night’s Blues/Red Wings game, despite not airing in the Detroit market (where it aired on FSN), drew 429,000 viewers, which may be a season high for a non-exclusive game. The Red Wings getting blown out in Montreal two nights later (where it did air exclusively in Detroit) drew much lower digits, scoring 241,000 viewers. The important thing, however, is that it beat the NFC Championship Game repeat on NFL Network that night (193,000). At least we can hang our hats on that.

(Source: @TVSportsRatings) 

Viewer Numbers to Date for the NHL on NBC Sports Network, 2011-12 Season