Gary Bettman warns of potential end to NHL games on cable as viewership plummets

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Maverick Mitchell
October 15, 2024 (6:06 PM)

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It appears that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has hinted his desire to move away from broadcasting NHL games on cable as viewership is a lot higher on streaming platforms.

In the last couple of years, it has gotten more and more difficult to watch NHL games, whether it is with black out, change in partnerships with streaming services, broadcast changes, fans end up getting the short end of the stick at the end of the day, especially if they have to pay for packages.

With Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, CraveTV, Fubo and several others, cable has nearly gone extinct in recent years and it appears that the NHL may be doing the same, following comments from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman prior to the Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins game, which will be streamed on Amazon Prime.

A direct quote came from Gary Bettman himself as he clearly stated that NHL viewership is higher when on these paid for platforms, and less on traditional services such as cable or satellite.

Bettman repeated several times there are more viewers on Prime than on traditional cable. That may impact the next TV deal I n Canada.

The world is moving away from cable TV. The cord-cutting, cord-nevers continues, and the reach of cable and satellite (linear) is not where it was. The world - putting us aside - is moving towards other forms of distribution, and we're very mindful of that. And keep in mind that Prime is distributed in Canada more broadly than anything else."

The Commissioner and NHL are moving away from cable, as he repeatedly says, that that world is moving away from it, so the league also needs to adapt.