Post by Nielsen

A hockey romance became a cultural phenomenon. Heated Rivalry – a queer love story set in professional hockey – launched late last year and steadily became one of the biggest streaming hits of early 2026. NHL’s TikTok followers increased 83% after the show’s debut. And the momentum didn’t stop at social media. The NHL regular season saw a 25% increase in average viewership, including a 28% jump among women 18+. What’s also more amazing? That energy carried right into the post-season, where average viewership for the first round of the playoffs surged by 77%. Hockey isn’t just having a moment. It’s having a movement – one that reminds us representation drives real impact. Happy Pride Month. 🏳️‍🌈 Read more in our latest Tops of Sports report. 👇 https://lnkd.in/es-Sa37S #TopsOfSports #NielsenInsights #HeatedRivalry #MediaIntelligence