MNMT saw highest regular season viewership since at least 2022-23 season as Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record on Friday
Washington, D.C. (April 8, 2025) – Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) set a new record-high for regular season viewership during Friday’s Washington Capitals game vs. Chicago, which saw Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin score two goals to tie the NHL all-time goal scoring record, the network announced today.
Friday’s telecast was MNMT’s most watched regular season broadcast since at least the start of the 2022-23 season and MNMT outperformed ESPN (by 53%), ABC (by 328%), CBS (by 360%), and NBC’s programming (by 288%) in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets during the game (P25-54). The game broke the previous high viewership mark for the Capitals, outperforming last season’s playoff-clincher against the Philadelphia Flyers by 4% and attracting more than triple (201% higher) the viewership of the average Capitals game during the 2024-25 season to date (P25-54). Broadcast viewership peaked with a record audience tuned in between 9:30-9:45 PM ET during the final minutes of the game (P2+). (Source: Nielsen Media Research, P2+ and P25-54 demos. DC & Baltimore DMA’s. Data based on games aired on MNMT/MNMT2 from 9/25/22 – 4/4/25.)
Through the first 72 games of the current season, local TV viewership for Washington Capitals games has increased 39% in the D.C. and Baltimore markets compared to last season. Similarly, the demand for Capitals pre- and postgame programming has also increased significantly year-over-year, up 28% and 53% respectively. (Source: Nielsen Media Research, HH demo. DC & Baltimore DMA’s. Data based on games aired on MNMT/MNMT2 from 9/24/23 – 3/28/25.)
“We are immensely grateful to our passionate Capitals fans for their unwavering support throughout the GR8 CHASE—your enthusiasm fuels our commitment to deliver the best coverage possible,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). “Our team at Monumental Sports Network has worked tirelessly to keep our fans connected to this once-in-a-lifetime event and bring Alex’s historic milestones to life. Together, we look forward to witnessing even more unforgettable moments as we continue to cheer on the Capitals as they take aim toward the Stanley Cup.”
In terms of streaming, Friday’s game also registered the most unique viewers of any game since at least the start of the 2022-23 season. Overall, streaming activity on the Monumental+ app for Capitals games has never been higher. Through the first 72 games of this season, unique streaming viewers for Capitals games have increased 97% year-over-year. (Source: Streaming data from ViewLift reports. 10/13/23 – 3/28/25.)
Over the last several months, in addition to live games, MNMT has offered fans comprehensive coverage of Ovechkin’s chase of the NHL’s all-time career goals record. MNMT’s Ovechkin-related coverage has included special gameday programs, themed original programming, and robust multiplatform content covering THE GR8 CHASE. Since March, special editions of Caps Rink Report have streamed on the state-of-the-art Monumental+ app at 12 PM ET on all Capitals game days. MNMT is also creating a special original program that will relive all of Ovechkin’s 895 goals in his journey to break Gretzky’s record.
In addition to the network’s Capitals coverage, Monumental Sports Network is the exclusive local television media rights holder for the NBA’s Washington Wizards, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go. It also proudly boasts a comprehensive schedule of original programming and live college football, basketball, lacrosse, and volleyball, high school basketball, esports, as well as Washington Spirit (NWSL) and Old Glory DC (Major League Rugby) games. In total, MNMT will air close to 500 total games during the 2024-25 season, an all-time high.
Live Capitals games on Monumental Sports Network are available to local fans both on linear tv and via streaming platforms within the network’s coverage area, stretching from Richmond to Delaware. Capitals fans can watch the games through their TV provider, on monumentalplus.com, or by downloading the Monumental+ app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV and using an eligible TV provider log-in.
Fans without a TV provider who are interested in watching live Capitals games and receiving other outstanding benefits can purchase an annual direct-to-consumer membership priced at $199.99 per year at monumentalplus.com (savings of $39.89 per year compared to 12 months of a monthly subscription). Monthly memberships with access to all live games on MNMT, alternate broadcasts, and app-exclusive features are also available at $19.99 per month.
###
About Monumental Sports Network
Monumental Sports Network is wholly owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). The network holds exclusive local television media rights for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards and WNBA’s Washington Mystics games. MNMT is also the TV and digital home to the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content and original sports and entertainment programming. The network also boasts the most comprehensive regional high school and collegiate sports programming in the greater Washington D.C. metro area. For more, visit monumentalplus.com.
