Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - NHL National Viewership Down 22% in the U.S.

FlamesAddiction · 02-01-2023, 07:59 PM

With the other 3 big professional sports in the U.S., they are marketed as being part of the American way of life. It's not just an American attitude towards sports as hockey is the same way in Canada.

The trick is, how do you sell hockey like that to people outside of the niche markets? People from all over the U.S. tune into baseball, football, and basketball because it is the thing to do in America. I don't think it is so much the product as it is the zeitgeist. Without a nationwide demand for accessible broadcasts, the providers don't have an incentive. I don't believe that simply providing the service means it will increase viewership unless the demand is actually there first.

02-01-2023, 07:59 PM	#110
FlamesAddiction Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Vancouver Exp:	With the other 3 big professional sports in the U.S., they are marketed as being part of the American way of life. It's not just an American attitude towards sports as hockey is the same way in Canada. The trick is, how do you sell hockey like that to people outside of the niche markets? People from all over the U.S. tune into baseball, football, and basketball because it is the thing to do in America. I don't think it is so much the product as it is the zeitgeist. Without a nationwide demand for accessible broadcasts, the providers don't have an incentive. I don't believe that simply providing the service means it will increase viewership unless the demand is actually there first. __________________ "A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."