Interest melting for the NHL's Winter Classic?

[renard_ruse]

The lowest ratings ever for the NHL's annual outdoor Winter Classic game this year, and a significant decline from last year's record viewership:

http://www.craveonline.com/sports/reviews/180651-winter-classic-ratings-down

Personally, I didn't even bother to watch this year. It wasn't on New Year's Day and had better things to do anyway. I liked the first one in Buffalo, when the weather was perfect (snow falling, etc). I am afraid this game has been too overhyped (two hours of pre-game this year??? Really?).

 

[renard_ruse]

The problem is that New Year's Day is already packed with bowl games (putting aside the move this year to the day after New Year's which was an additional disaster). The three bowl games on in competition routinely outdraw the WC in ratings, it can't even beat one of them much less all three. If there was really a major holiday that was not already dominated by an existing sport the concept would probably work much better, but there aren't any during the winter. Thanksgiving has NFL, Christmas has NBA, New Year's has NCAA football, even President's weekend has the Daytona 500. There just aren't any holidays for hockey to have a chance to dominate.

Also, its only a run of the mill regular season game. Other than being outside, there is nothing special about the game itself. Perhaps, if they made it a re-match between the previous seasons Stanley Cup final teams, or a double header with the Stanley Cup finals teams and then the host city's team vs. a key rival it would raise a bit more general interest. As it is, I don't see this thing being around in another four or five years in the current format, which is a shame because I do think it could help the league if the format was better.

 

[shoulderblade]

As it is, I don't see this thing being around in another four or five years in the current format, which is a shame because I do think it could help the league if the format was better.

I find the physical layout itself to be rather unattractive. Putting a standard size ice surface out in the middle of a baseball field is the ultimate in remote viewing. People want to pay to sit outside in the cold and view a game from that distance?

In the old outdoor days you had an ice surface and wrap around seating right on top of the action. If you are used to Major Junior where the seating, indoors, might be about 6,000 This looks like a cold, distant (not to mention expensive) experience.

 

[albertaboy]

I wish the whole winter classic would just die, the hockey is terrible, the ice is awful and the game counts in the standings. The other thing that really irritates me is they keep saying the thing started in Buffalo.

I froze my ass off in November of 2003 in Commonwealth Stadium watching the Oilers and Canadians play in the Heritage classic.

The whole outside game was Pat LaForge's idea, the President of the Edmonton Oilers.

 

[clutch1]

There wasn't two hours of pre-game, it was delayed by two hours because of weather.
Let's go Rangers!

 

[JBCorbell]

I find the physical layout itself to be rather unattractive. Putting a standard size ice surface out in the middle of a baseball field is the ultimate in remote viewing. People want to pay to sit outside in the cold and view a game from that distance?

In the old outdoor days you had an ice surface and wrap around seating right on top of the action. If you are used to Major Junior where the seating, indoors, might be about 6,000 This looks like a cold, distant (not to mention expensive) experience.

Expensive is right. Premium prices to freeze your ass watching millionaires behave like back alley thugs? I don't think so.

 

[HB1965]

The lowest ratings ever for the NHL's annual outdoor Winter Classic game this year, and a significant decline from last year's record viewership:

http://www.craveonline.com/sports/reviews/180651-winter-classic-ratings-down

Personally, I didn't even bother to watch this year. It wasn't on New Year's Day and had better things to do anyway. I liked the first one in Buffalo, when the weather was perfect (snow falling, etc). I am afraid this game has been too overhyped (two hours of pre-game this year??? Really?).

Possibly because it wasn't shown on New Year's Day. It was shown on the 2nd. While a lot of people were out of work it was also a travel day for many people. My guess is that explains a lot of it.

 

[Spence99]

The NHL can dress the game up with whatever fancy title it wants, but the simple fact remains that it is a regular season game in the middle of a long season. There is nothing at stake.

A regular can of Coke sitting outside in a snow bank is still a regular can of Coke.

 

[Batch]

The NHL can dress the game up with whatever fancy title it wants, but the simple fact remains that it is a regular season game in the middle of a long season. There is nothing at stake.

A regular can of Coke sitting outside in a snow bank is still a regular can of Coke.

But it'll be chilled, Baby.

 

[shoulderblade]

I wish the whole winter classic would just die, the hockey is terrible, the ice is awful and the game counts in the standings. The other thing that really irritates me is they keep saying the thing started in Buffalo.

Lighten up, the term blame could be slipped in there.

I have never seen one of these affairs but in the layout pictured at the top of the article my interest would be zero.

 

[atmas]

The Salt Lake Tribune (noted hockey authority) claimed it was the fifth highest rated regular season hockey game of all time. Presumably all the previous Winter Classics beat it. So, though it may suggest a declining interest in the format, it still stands as more popular than any single other regular season game.

I think it's cool. Especially that my team won last week.

 

[GiaCat]

I think it does not add anything to the game.

 

[Super-Surprise]

http://artsyspot.com/img/fun/bikini/bikini04.jpg

 

[bigglles]

Problem was the HBO 24/7 which is meant to hype the game up wasn't as great as last years. Not HBO's fault though because both teams were having pretty good seasons. Two teams winning winning winning is a worse story than last years Pens at the top while the Caps had all the troubles winning.

 

[renard_ruse]

I wish the whole winter classic would just die, the hockey is terrible, the ice is awful and the game counts in the standings. The other thing that really irritates me is they keep saying the thing started in Buffalo.

I froze my ass off in November of 2003 in Commonwealth Stadium watching the Oilers and Canadians play in the Heritage classic.

The whole outside game was Pat LaForge's idea, the President of the Edmonton Oilers.

That was the Heritage Classic I think. Not the same as the Winter Classic technically speaking.