Some numbers...

It's been a while since I contributed to TMFB, but here I am with a few numbers to think about in regards to hockey and rough play.

Some info on the TV viewers for two events Saturday night: Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 on NBC, and the debut of Elite XC fighting on CBS. For those not in the know, EliteXC isn't even the top of the line of mixed martial arts fighting. The Stanley Cup Finals are expected to be the best hockey you see, the crown jewel of the sport. And based on the ratings of past MMA events on cable (on Versus, especially), they start out slow and then grow in popularity.

In the 7 pm to 11 pm EDT bracket, CBS and their fights beat NBC and the crown jewel of hockey by about total 320,000 viewers. In terms of straight up ratings (percentage of televisions tuned to a station, rather than number of viewers), NBC won out by a whole tenth of a point, 1.6 with a 6 share for NBC, to 1.5 and a 5 share for CBS (note: the "share" refers to number of TV's in use at the time that were tuned in to that particular station).

Looking at the overnight ratings, as the fights carried over past 11 pm EDT, the EliteXC fights on CBS expanded to 2.7 and a 5 share after 11 pm.

Take note, Mr. Bettman. Given the crown jewel of hockey or a bunch of relative unknowns kicking the crap out of each other, the people barely chose hockey. And given how it has gone in the past, expect to start getting dominated should the two go head to head in the future. Now let's think: what might happen if they two were combined a bit, maybe toned down a bit to using just fists instead of fists, kicks, knees, and elbows, what would we have?

Sounds to me something similar to 1980's hockey and a ratings winner. But what do I know? I mean my degree is in journalism, not marketing, so pay no mind to me.