Monday, June 22, 2026

TNT, TBS Smash First-Round Ratings Record for NHL Playoffs

  • Viewership averaged 959,000 on TNT and TBS, the most-watched NHL first-round ever on cable.
  • Game 7 between the Panthers and Bruins was the NHL’s all-time most-viewed first-round game on cable.
The Panthers Game 7 win over the Bruins set an NHL first-round ratings record.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports says that its first-round NHL playoff broadcasts on TNT and TBS reached an average of 959,000 viewers, setting a new record as the all-time most-watched first-round of the NHL playoffs on cable. 

The record breaks last year’s first-round mark of 768,000 average viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS, which was also an NHL cable viewership record. 

Viewership for NHL first-round games on TNT and TBS was up 18% this year compared to the networks’ first-round ratings in 2022.

On Sunday, TNT’s Game 7 telecast of the Florida Panthers’ comeback victory over the Boston Bruins scored 3.2 million viewers, the most-watched NHL first-round game ever on a cable network. The epic Game 7 peaked at 4.1 million viewers on TNT.

In the Western Conference, the Seattle Kraken’s win on Sunday against the defending champion Colorado Avalanche drew more than 2 million viewers on TNT—making it the most-watched late-window game ever recorded in the NHL’s first round.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) checks Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center.

Tkachuk Is Latest Star Player on Canadian Team to Move South

The former Senators captain will now play with his older brother.

USMNT Delivers Another Ratings Win for Fox With 14.8M Viewers

The U.S. has two group-stage wins for the first time since 1930.
Kalshi's logo is displayed on a smartphone placed on a reflective surface onto which a betting curve is projected in Creteil, France, on March 9, 2026, during a major scandal and a $54 million lawsuit concerning bets related to recent strikes in Iran. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE

Kalshi’s Tarek Mansour Talks Giannis, Don Jr., Supreme Court

The Kalshi cofounder discussed critics, CFTC rulemaking, and more.
Feb 11, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (84) during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Jimmie Johnson Joining TNT as NASCAR Analyst

Johnson will make his TNT debut on June 28.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/22/26 – USMNT Wins the Group, Serena Gets Wimbledon Wild Card, UFC White House Ratings, Wyndham Clark Wins US Open

0:00

Featured Today

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Chicago, IL - May 10, 2026: Jay Bilas during the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.

Jay Bilas: 2026 NBA Draft Is Most Star-Studded Since 2003

Bilas will be a part of ESPN’s broadcast on Tuesday night.
ESPN host Rece Davis
June 22, 2026

Rece Davis to Host ESPN’s Wimbledon Coverage

Davis replaces former host Chris McKendry, who is moving to play-by-play.
Dec 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Alexi Lalas looks on before the 2024 MLS Cup between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Opinion
June 22, 2026

Have Soccer Fans Had Enough of Fox’s Alexi Lalas?

The former USMNT star has been a polarizing presence for Fox.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
June 19, 2026

UFC’s Freedom 250 Draws 17 Million Viewers

The event was available exclusively on Paramount+. 
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson holds the Finals MVP trophy during the championship celebration after game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
June 16, 2026

Knicks-Spurs Draws Most-Watched NBA Finals Since 1998

The Knicks’ series-clinching Game 5 attracted 24.5 million viewers.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Spain v Cape Verde - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Spain's Pau Cubarsi misses a chance to score REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Exclusive
June 16, 2026

Fox Frustrated by ESPN’s Lack of World Cup Coverage

Fox took over from ESPN as the World Cup rights holder in 2018.
Dec 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports broadcast camera before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
June 15, 2026

With Increased NFL Rights Fees Looming, Fox in Deal to Buy Roku

The significant outlay arrived as a renegotiation approaches for NFL rights.