NHL Local Broadcasting Changes
In a pronounced shift within the NHL’s local broadcasting sphere, the St. Louis Blues and FanDuel Sports Network’s decision to part ways with renowned play-by-play announcer John Kelly serves as a striking emblem of ongoing transformations. Since 2022, a staggering 16 out of 32 NHL franchises have either already introduced new play-by-play voices or color analysts or are poised to do so by the start of the 2025-26 season.
Fan Perception and Survey Insights
This evolving landscape underscores the heightened importance of assessing how fans perceive their local broadcast teams. To this end, we conducted our annual survey, inviting fans to rate their favorite teams’ broadcasts on a scale of 1 to 5, with the freedom to evaluate additional broadcasts as well. The resulting data allowed us to compile comprehensive rankings based on local and national scores for each of the NHL’s television teams.
While the methodology is not scientific—given varying levels of fan representation—the findings provide an intriguing glimpse into the sentiments of NHL fan bases regarding their broadcast experiences.
Local Broadcast Rankings Overview
- Boston Bruins (NESN): With Judd Sirott stepping in as play-by-play announcer alongside color analyst Andy Brickley, reactions have varied in their first season post-Jack Edwards. Ratings: Local – 3.68 (30th), National – 2.21 (32nd) (Last year: 32nd).
- Pittsburgh Penguins (SportsNet): The Penguins, with Josh Getzoff as the new voice and a rotating panel of analysts, grappled with fan dissatisfaction over changes in their broadcast team. Ratings: Local – 3.47 (31st), National – 2.64 (30th) (Last year: 28th).
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Suffering from a split broadcast between TSN and Sportsnet, local fans expressed a longing for a dedicated home broadcast despite high marks for professionalism from the commentators. Ratings: Local – 3.18 (32nd), National – 3.01 (13th) (Last year: 29th).
- Nashville Predators (FanDuel): Struggles on the ice have mirrored fan sentiments regarding the broadcast quality. Ratings: Local – 4.14 (25th), National – 2.61 (31st) (Last year: 17th).
- Buffalo Sabres (MSG Network): Sabres broadcasts drew renewed scrutiny after management changes aimed at balancing team criticism. Ratings: Local – 4.00 (28th), National – 2.83 (22nd) (Last year: 22nd).
- Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago Sports Network): Despite significant changes in personnel, the new team still faced access difficulties which hampered viewership. Ratings: Local – 4.08 (27th), National – 2.85 (20th) (Last year: 31st).
Conclusion
Through our survey, it has become evident how critical local voices are to the on-air experience. John Kelly’s departure from the Blues marks an end of an era, with fans expressing their dismay over the sudden change. His tenure of 21 years situated him as a beloved figure; the Blues’ upcoming broadcasts will feature Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale, a combination that may struggle to fill Kelly’s shoes next season.
Moreover, the analysis extends beyond individual performances to illuminate broader issues such as production quality, accessibility, and changing viewer expectations. As franchises navigate through evolving broadcast landscapes and rising competition, understanding fan feedback will be crucial as they define the future of NHL broadcasts. This year’s ratings reflect not only current sentiments but also the areas needing improvement as organizations pivot to enhance the viewer experience moving forward.
