Comcast SportsNet ratings were through the roof for Game 1 of the playoffs last night, Capitals vs. Rangers.
The ratings averaged a 3.3 which is bigger than ESPN. That means about 77 thousand households were tuned into the game locally.
At one point during the night, the broadcast received a 4.6 rating which means more than 100 thousand households were tuned into the game.
I guess that means we have crossed the chasm and have casual fans now watching the games. And I don’t ever want to hear some no name broadcaster on ESPN say that there are at best 15 thousand hockey fans per market and then you build from there. We have better ratings than ESPN. Our ratings for the year were up 65 percent. No more teasing hockey fans that they are different ESPN and kudos to Comcast for doing such great production and promotional work on these broadcasts.
The Caps even have people in Bel Air, MD excited. After coming home from the game on Saturday with my Caps gear still on, I was stopped in a restaurant full of young college kids and asked all about the experience of being at a Caps playoff game, then again in the grocery store where people were coming up to me and asking about the Caps players, and finally by my neighbors who had no idea that we were hockey fans as well. So, Caps fever is definitely spreading to all parts of Maryland. I can’t tell you how many people are going to a local bar on Monday and Wednesday for viewing parties. It’s awesome! Win or lose I know that they will love the Caps as much as we do!
People everywhere are excited about this team. In the last two weeks alone, I have heard comments about how great the team is from the most random places — a guy at the supermarket in Glen Burnie when I was wearing a Capitals fleece, a fellow teacher that I never knew was the least interested in hockey while I was wearing a Capitals shirt, and a random guy at a gas station in Laurel who noticed my Capitals license plate… among others. My colleague remarked how hungry this town is for a winner, and they have no one else to turn to but the Capitals right now. So what if they are bandwagon fans… right now. Hopefully, they’ll see how exciting the game is and stick around through the thick and the thin!
Ted,
Thanks for bringing the Caps back to respectability. Been a fan since ’76. This team is so fun to watch.
Tom
Denver, CO
Ted, you’ve done a great job with this team and the people in the DC area are taking notice. Yes, there are front runners, but with all the hockey that I am around in this area, you’ve drawn back hockey fans too. There are people who would go to one or two games, maybe. They’re now paying full price and I’ve seen them at 7-10 games this season. They found ways to get to the game. Now, they’re tuning in on TV, they’re excited and rightfully so.
Keep up the great work! Us long-time Caps fans are enjoying this!
I have been a fan for 30 years and have never felt this much excitement for the Caps. Even during the Cup run of 98 and through all the winning in the 80′s and early 90′s, it’s never come close.
And I remember you saying at the Chalk Talk that 2.0 was going to be awesome.
3.3 is off the charts.