Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks have embarrassed Gary Bettman and the NHL after a Winter Classic disaster.
2024 Winter Classic Sets Record-Low Viewership: Bedard's NHL Debut Takes Center Stage
The NHL kicked off 2024 on a disappointing note with the Winter Classic, featuring the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken, becoming the least-viewed Winter Classic ever.
The 2024 Winter Classic averaged 1.11 million viewers across TNT and truTV � the smallest audience in its history.
For the first time ever, the event will not finish as the most-watched game of the NHL season.
With only 1.11 million viewers, this Winter Classic marked the first time it didn't secure the highest viewership for a regular-season game. Connor Bedard's debut game with the Chicago Blackhawks, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby, attracted over 1.4 million fans.
No. 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard's NHL debut averaged 1.43M viewers on ESPN.
It's the most-watched regular season NHL game ever on cable, excluding the Winter Classic.
Bettman and NHL Favor Bedard for Next Year's Winter Classic
Given Bedard's debut success and the Winter Classic's typical performance, NHL Commissioner Bettman is leaning towards choosing the Blackhawks as the next Winter Classic host.
Friedman on TJMS talking Blackhawks and Winter Classic: «It is going to be Hawks, initially I didn't know if it was going to be Hawks at home or Hawks on the road, after we mentioned it on the pod I had people who were kind of hinting, don't be surprised if it's Hawks at home»
The Blackhawks have played in five outdoor games against the Red Wings, Penguins, Capitals, Wild, and Blues, and are poised for another outdoor classic with Bedard at the helm.