Kraken Nine Game Points Streak On Line Thursday Vs. Ottawa At CPA
The national TV ratings for the 2024 Winter Classic can be summed up in three words: disappointing, but understandable. At the end of this story, we explain why Seattle Kraken fans can respond with two words: "Who cares?"
Disappointing Ratings
Disappointing, because an average of 1.1 million viewers watched the Seattle Kraken shut out the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Park on New Year's day.
That's lower than any previous Winter Classic, according to Sports Media Watch (SMW).
Only one of the other 14 previous Winter Classics has averaged less than 1.78 million viewers. The top-rated game came in 2011; a primetime Washington victory over Pittsburgh at Heinz Field drew 4.5 million.
Understandable Ratings
Understandable, for a multitude - and we do mean a multitude - of reasons.
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Predictable Ratings
It wasn't just football competition working against Winter Classic viewership.
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In Seattle, Forget The Ratings
To the extent national TV ratings for the Winter Classic are a concern, that's a headache for NHL HQ.
None of this dims the smashing success of the event for the Kraken franchise, its players and personnel, and Puget Sound writ large. Seattle proved - if any proof was necessary - that its hockey culture is Big League.
Fans "showed out," more than 47,000 packing the ballpark. Players got in the spirit, arriving in region-inspired fishing outfits. Seattle's own Heart and Sir Mix-a-Lot added to the festivities. So did a mix of area sports legends honored during the 2nd intermission. Even the weather cooperated.
Most important of all, when gametime arrived, the Kraken rose to the occasion. Joey Daccord stopped all the pucks; Eeli Tolvanen, Will Borgen and Yanni Gourde scored all the goals; they and their teammates ensured a day full of memories ended victoriously.
