from InsideSTL,

Sports Illustrated Sports Media Analyst Richard Deitsch joined The Afternoon Drive on Tuesday to discuss several sports media topics...

On why NHL Final ratings consistently rank behind the other sports:

“I think (the NHL and its fans) have to change the framework of their thoughts. It’s just never going to be a ‘big four’ sports at least in terms of television. It doesn’t have enough of a base to compete with those guys. If I was the NHL, I would make the product has great as it can be…I would try to bring more younger people under the tent…and I would try to keep my seven million or eight million people that watch the Stanley Cup Final every year….keep that audience and make sure they’re happy with that product. You’ll still make money (and stay relevant in the American sports landscape). But, to me, the notion that you’re a big four sports just isn’t realistic…”

a bit more on the SCF and you can also listen to the full audio segment...