Sports Perspectives

By Alex

The numbers were staggering.

Not just in Canada but in the United States as well.

I’m talking about the ratings for the epic gold medal match between Team Canada and Team USA. As many as 27 million viewers tuned in to watch the game in the U.S. and 16.5  million in Canada.  The number rose to 26 million – or roughly 80% of the host country – for people who tuned in for part of the game in.

Let’s see here. I got my calculator handy right here. 16.5 plus 27  is 43.5 million.

*Scratches head. Spins beanie propeller*

In a population base of say, 335 million, about 13% of the North American population watched the game. I don’t know how many people in the States tuned in later but lets say it was 37 million. At one point, it’s possible nearly 20% of the continent shared in what is being described as one of the great games in the long, rich annals of hockey history.

With such strong television ratings, while it may not necessarily mean much to the NHL’s bottom line (though one has to wonder that in some way a trickle down effect has to take place), it does show that even if hockey is a regional (or fringe) sport in the U.S., it does have drawing power. Ironically, while some U.S. based franchises may be struggling at the gate (the NHL continues to struggle in getting exposure through lucrative TV deals), the game itself is probably as popular as its ever been.

You don’t win major junior tournaments and reach gold medal games by fluke. USA Hockey has clearly arrived on the scene.

Russia. Canada. There’s now a third wheel in your love affair.

2014. Can’t wait.

***

Quick word on the overall coverage between the consortium of CTV/Sportsnet/RDS/TSN and NBC. It was no contest. The Canadians offered more content and substance overall. The mere fact CTV went live and NBC still employed a tape delay leaves no doubt as to who offered a better product.