NHL Viewership Rises in Post-Olympic Weeks

The NHL returns from the Olympic break with games averaging 603,000 viewers across the first eight national telecasts on ABC, ESPN and TNT, marking a 23% jump from pre-break numbers that has league execs quietly optimistic. ESPN platforms hit 785,000 seasonally with Panthers-Islanders and Flyers-Rangers drawing solid crowds despite playoff outsiders, while TNT pulls in new eyes - 172,000 first-timers on Lightning-Leafs and Knights-Kings.