Ratings
The Winter Classic has been a huge ratings success for NBC, averaging 4.1 million viewers since its inception in 2008. Four of the five Winter Classics rank in the top five most watched regular season NHL games since 1975. The 2011 Classic, played in prime time, beat out the programming on the other three major networks, propelling NBC to victory for the night.
| Year | Viewers | Rating | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3.8 Million | 2.6 | 5.0 |
| 2009 | 4.4 Million | 2.9 | 5.0 |
| 2010 | 3.7 Million | 2.6 | 4.0 |
| 2011 | 4.57 Million | 2.8 | 4.0 |
| 2012 | 3.74 Million | 2.4 | 4.0 |
Read more about this topic: NHL Winter Classic