The NHL experienced a significant recovery in viewership during the 2025-26 season, with both ESPN and TNT reporting double-digit growth compared to the previous year. This resurgence, attributed largely to the return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics, saw TNT's audience increase by 19% and ESPN's viewership rise by 30%. The positive trend is crucial for the league and its broadcasting partners, as it strengthens their negotiating position ahead of upcoming contract renewals.
NHL, ESPN, TNT Sports, WBD, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, ABC
Media Rights Analyzer, Fan Engagement Hub, Deal Structure Analyzer, Scouting & Recruitment
NHL: The National Hockey League is the governing body for professional ice hockey in North America, overseeing the league's operations and media rights agreements.
ESPN: ESPN is a major sports broadcasting network that holds media rights for NHL games and has reported significant viewership increases for the 2025-26 season.
TNT Sports: TNT Sports is a US linear network owned by WBD that broadcasts NHL games and has experienced record viewership growth during the 2025-26 season.
WBD: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is the parent company of TNT Sports, involved in the broadcasting of NHL games and currently in acquisition talks with Paramount.
Las Vegas Golden Knights: The Las Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team in the NHL that participated in the 2025-26 season and contributed to viewership metrics.
This article is part of Prism's real-time sports business intelligence radar, which tracks sponsorships, partnerships, media rights, stadium deals, and investments across global sports. View the full intelligence profile for each company to access active analysis modules, deal timelines, and connected company networks.