More Good NHL News

NEW YORK (March 16, 2010) ??At the 1,000-game mark of the 2009-2010 season, the National Hockey League has continued to redefine success in the digital age. Across the NHL.com Web site, broadband video (including live games), social media and electronic commerce, the NHL is experiencing record consumer demand on its digital platforms.

Additionally, in the wake of the 2010 Winter Olympics, where NHL players staged one of the most memorable Olympic hockey tournaments of all time, the NHL has experienced audience increases on television and in arenas.

“The growth the NHL is delivering across multiple platforms is redefining the way the world looks at the league’s business,” said NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins. “We’ve created a deeper portfolio of big events and direct-to-consumer digital products, both of which have activated hockey fans across North America. Not only are these initiatives delighting fans, but they are creating new value for the League in the partner, broadcaster and advertising marketplaces as we build toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

At the 1,000-game mark the League’s business highlights include:

Record consumption of NHL digital media

With All-Access Vancouver programming taking NHL fans inside the Olympic hockey experience, Unique Visitors (UVs) to NHL.com for February rose 23 percent over last season despite 48 fewer NHL games.

There were more articles accessed at NHL.com in February 2010 vs. any other month in site history.

To date in March, UVs to NHL.com have increased 11 percent.

Video starts for NHL.com have risen 70 percent in March 2010 compared to March 2009.

On average, NHL.com has experienced a year-over-year increase in monthly UVs of 31 percent.

To date in March, NHL Mobile key traffic metrics, including visits and page views, have all increased by triple-digits year-over-year.

Sales of NHL GameCenter Live™ are up 15 percent over last season.

With the best assortment of NHL products, Shop.NHL.com sales have increased 11 percent and orders are up 19 percent over last season.

The NHL’s addressable audience on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms has grown nearly 200 percent since the beginning of the season.

Attendance increasing as Race For The Cup heats up

Attendance has increased 2 percent from pre-Olympic levels. Nineteen teams have experienced an increase in attendance since the Olympic break concluded.

Television ratings continue upward trend

Through five NBC Game of the Week telecasts, ratings are up 11 percent and viewers are up 17 percent.

NHL on VERSUS has experienced a 3 percent increase in ratings compared to the same time period last year. The network has also experienced increases in Men 25-54.

VERSUS exclusive game ratings are up 23 percent compared to the same time period last year.

Through February 14, 13 out of 24 (54 percent) U.S. team Regional Sports Networks have ratings showing year-over-year increases. Chicago (+118 percent), New York – Islanders (+100 percent) and Anaheim (+100 percent) have had the largest year over year increases.

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