The game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio Stadium attracted a whopping 94,571 spectators. And outside the stadium? The program attracted an average audience of 1.6 million viewers, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the 2024 Stadium Series. In this context, hockey analyst Braylon Breeze highlighted the significant role of one particular channel, asserting, “While I understand complaints about the debacle at the start of the Stadium Series broadcast window, one thing is clear: the NHL needs ESPN.”

But it’s not so straightforward. ESPN’s coverage of the league has drawn plenty of criticism from fans across the board. What are the reasons? During the Stadium Series, there were delays because the Alabama-Tennessee basketball game went to overtime. This led to the Red Wings-Blue Jackets game being streamed on alternative channels, which created confusion for the viewers.

Additionally, throughout the heated contest, there were unexpected moments, such as Kirk Herbstreit’s dog making an appearance in the broadcast, amid the action. However, journalist Braylon Breeze acknowledged the issues but pointed to the larger picture. The larger picture being that the reach of ESPN made it the best choice for the continued growth and success of the league.

He added, “In theory, under the old deal, the USA-Canada championship game would have aired on NBCSN—now USA Network. No one can seriously claim that: A) The event would have been a success in the same fashion. B) The championship game would have come anywhere close to 9 million viewers.”

While it’s true that viewership has risen, what do the statistics reveal? The championship game featuring the United States and Canada attracted an impressive 16.1 million viewers across North America, including 9.3 million in the United States and 6.3 million in Canada. This event marked the second-highest viewership for a hockey game in the last ten years, trailing only Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, which attracted an impressive 16.3 million viewers.

The tournament saw an impressive average of 6.5 million viewers throughout North America, marking a significant increase of 256 percent compared to the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, which was also broadcasted on ESPN. This marked increased clearly shows the success ESPN has brought to the game, though the responses from the online community have been varied varied.

The Stadium Series success gathered a mixed response from NHL fans

Criticism was prevalent, with certain fans expressing a desire for NBC to reclaim its status as the primary channel. One comment noted, “It had better numbers on NBC.” Additionally, some asserted that the coverage in TNT was superior, as this supporter noted, “Fine, I agree. TNT murders them in pre post game show. I doubt that changes next year.” In a similar vein, another viewer expressed their thoughts, saying, “ESPN’s studio show is so brutal and unwatchable IMO. TNT puts out a far superior production.”

What other records did this particular broadcast manage to break? Since the acquisition of broadcasting rights by ESPN, it has emerged as the most-watched regular-season game. The contest featuring the Red Wings and the Blue Jackets emerged as the most-viewed Stadium Series since 2019, a year marked by the face-off between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Despite the challenges faced during the broadcast, certain fans acknowledged the hockey analyst’s insights, with one fan commenting, “It stinks in a way but you’re correct.” Another fan highlighted that MLB will be parting ways with ESPN at the conclusion of the 2025 season, questioning, “Why if they are being treated this shabbily? @mlb left for a reason.”

The outlook for ESPN in relation to the NHL appears bright, particularly given the impressive viewership numbers stemming from the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Stadium Series. Only time will reveal whether they can meet the expectations of fans and really elevate the popularity of hockey in the U.S.