Stanley Cup Final Audience Declines in the United States
Television viewership figures in the United States for the Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers experienced a decrease compared to the previous year’s matchup.On average, 2.5 million viewers tuned in to TNT, with 2.8 million following the Panthers’ victory in Game 6, which secured the series. This total figure on cable is lower than last year’s 4.17 million, when the final was broadcast on free-to-air television by ABC. It’s the lowest figure since the matchup between Tampa Bay and Montreal in 2021.
However, viewership increased by 15% since the first Cup Final on TNT in 2023, where Vegas defeated Florida. In addition, social media interaction with NHL content increased by 32% during the playoffs. In Canada, the final attracted an average of 4.39 million viewers on Sportsnet and TVA Sports, with Connor McDavid seeking his first championship. The playoffs averaged 2.6 million viewers in English and French, a 14% increase from the previous year, with five of the 16 teams involved based in Canada.The viewership figures in the United States for the Cup final were significantly lower than those for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, the return of the international competition that featured the best NHL players. The final between the United States and Canada was watched by 9.3 million people in the United States and 10.7 million in Canada, after the six group stage games averaged 4.6 million in North America.
