NHL TV gets Diving Penalty

NHL ratings get penalty for diving in 2006-07 season
November 30, 2006 - 6:57 am
By: Jaime Pulfer

Fans of the National Hockey League hung in there longer than Pam Anderson and Kid Rock but it seems as though the hockey honeymoon may be over as ratings in for the 2006-07 to date, have been decidedly icy.

Television executives likely would have liked it to last a little longer as viewers couldn't get enough to the new NHL after the work stoppage that cost the league an entire season.

Some Hockey Night in Canada games on the CBC have dropped by as much as 19-33 per cent this season. TSN isn't faring much better with some games experiencing an 18 per cent drop in viewership.

Former Maple Leafs General Manager and FAN590 morning host Gord Stellick just may be finding other things to do.

"The big question's the entertainment value," says Stellick. "I think by and large people like the new rules but I think it's something they all just got to stay on top of. There is a lot of competition for the entertainment dollar and the games have to be entertaining."

You may not need to look very far to point some of the blame. With the Maple Leafs missing a trip to the post-season last year, some of those fans just may have lost that loving feeling.