Ratings for the NHL on Versus are up through the first half of the season, posting a 0.3 average household rating over 22 games, an increase from 0.2 on Versus at the same point last season. As reported by the Sports Business Journal:

Versus also posted gains in viewers (up 24 percent), as well as with men ages 18-34 (up 1 percent), 18-49 (up 27 percent) and 25-54 (up 43 percent).

The net’s most-viewed game of the season was the Dec. 11 Flyers-Penguins matchup, which earned a 0.5 national household rating and 445,096 viewers. That game also was Versus’ most-watched NHL regular-season telecast ever.

And, regional coverage is up, as well, for some NHL teams. With Comcast SportsNet Chicago airing some Blackhawks home games, ratings for the team have posted a 0.93 household rating for three telecasts. Last year at this time, the Blackhawks had posted a 45 percent decline in ratings from the year prior.

FSN has seen increases through their regional outlets of 24.7 percent through 258 games. Biggest regional increase? The St. Louis Blues with a 125 percent increase through 16 games on FSN Midwest. The N.Y. Islanders at 176 percent increase over 22 games and New Jersey Devils at a 138 percent increase over the same 22 games round out the top three. Both the Devils and Islanders are on FSNY. The biggest decline? The Phoenix Coyotes on FSN Arizona at -52.1% over 16 games.

Maury Brown is the founder and president of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football ,The Biz of Basketball, and The Biz of Hockey. He is a contributor to Baseball Prospectus, Basketball Prospectus and is an available writer for other media outlets.

Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.