TSN Sees First-Round Viewer Jump; “HNIC” Back In Primetime

TSN averaged 401,000 viewers per game for 19 first-round broadcasts of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 23% from ’06 (William Houston, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/24).

BACK WHERE IT BELONGS: In a separate piece, the GLOBE & MAIL’s Houston reports the “traditional Saturday night time slot has returned” for the CBC’s “Hockey Night In Canada” for the second round of the playoffs. The net will air Senators-Devils Game Two Saturday night at 8:00pm ET, and Senators-Devils Game Five May 5. The net “complained at the start of the postseason when it was denied a Saturday prime-time game on the first weekend.” Meanwhile, NBC will air Sharks-Red Wings Game Two Saturday at 3:00pm and Sabres-Rangers Game Three Sunday at 2:00pm (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/24).