The Columbus Blue Jackets unprecedented 2016-2017 campaign has caused a sharp rise in television viewership. According to a Sports Businesses Journal report, FS Ohio has seen an increase in ratings of 110 percent.
No other network saw an increase over 60 percent. Second in network ratings increase is MSG Plus, covering the New Jersey Devils. Their “pedestrian” increase of 58% was utterly dwarfed by the Columbus Blue Jackets increase.
This is a massive expansion no doubt is tied to the massive success of the team on the ice. The Columbus media market is a sports crazed population that expects winners.