The 2024 ‘Stanley Cup Finals’ Deliver Strong Ratings For ESPN
Despite the popular notion that cable television is dying as the age of streaming dawns, ESPN has had a banner year. Propelled in large part by the continued success of college football and NCAA basketball, as well as an explosion in popularity of women’s basketball, the Worldwide Leader in Sports continues to deliver ratings for Disney.
The latest live sporting event to reach new heights is the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. Game 6 of the series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers averaged 4.2 million total viewers and peaked at 4.9 million in the coveted 18 to 49 demographic.
Photo: ESPN
Those numbers were up 54% and 28%, respectively, versus last year’s Stanley Cup Final Game 5, which ended the series.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs Continue to Increase Viewership
Through 7 games, the Stanley Cup Final is averaging 3.6 million viewers, up 36% from the five-game series last year. In the 18-49 demographic, the series has averaged 1.3 million viewers, up 19% from last year.
Photo: ESPN
The Stanley Cup Final ratings continue a trend for the NHL on ESPN. In total, the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are averaging 1.7 million total viewers, up 36% from last year. The playoffs are also up 6% versus 2022.
In the 18-49 demographic, the playoffs are averaging 671,000 viewers, up 36% from 2023 and 1% from 2022.
The Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. Photo: ESPN
The Future of ESPN
As Disney prepares to transition ESPN into a direct-to-consumer product, live sports will be the backbone of its strategy going forward.
Photo: ESPN
While the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals‘ ratings may not be earth-shattering, things appear to be heading in the right direction for ESPN.
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