The presence of three Canadian teams helped drive up both linear TV ratings and streaming subscriptions for Rogers.
Across all games of the first round, average audiences are up 4% on Sportsnet, with 19.4 million unique viewers tuning in for at least part of a game.
The series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning had an AMA of 3 million, with 15 million unique viewers. The AMA also represents 9% growth from when the two teams met in the first round last year.
Game six of the series, in which the Maple Leafs advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, had an AMA of 4.4 million, making it not only the most-watched game of the series, but also the third-most watched playoff game since Rogers took on NHL broadcasting duties in 2014.
The matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings had an AMA of 1.7 million, with 11.4 million unique viewers. This series was also a rematch from last year’s playoffs, with the average audience growing by 14% year-over-year. Game six, in which the Oilers advanced to the second round, was the most-watched of the series, delivering an AMA of 2.4 million.
The first-round series between the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights had an AMA of 980 million and 9.9 million unique viewers. Game three was the most watched, having an AMA of 1.3 million, with audiences peaking at 3 million.
Outside of the Canadian matchups, game seven between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins – which decided the team Toronto would face in the second round – had an average audience of 2.5 million.
On the digital front, subscribers to SN NOW have grown by 101% year-over-year, with 66% growth in streams started and 376 million total minutes of playoff hockey streamed. According to Rogers, it has also delivered over 130 million ad impressions for over 200 different advertisers through its recently launched dynamic ad insertion service since the beginning of the playoffs.
Round two of the playoffs begins Tuesday evening when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. Edmonton’s series against Vegas begins on Wednesday.
