Versus, NBC Continue To Track Increased NHL Playoff Viewership

Versus, NBC Continue To See Jump In Viewership For NHL Playoffs

Versus is averaging 622,000 viewers for 43 telecasts of the Stanley Cup Playoffs through the Conference Semifinals. That includes the third period and overtime for Hurricanes-Bruins Game Seven on May 14, which was joined in progress after Red Wings-Ducks Game Seven. That figure is up 35.5% from 459,000 viewers for 41 games during the same period in '08. For 20 Conference Semifinals telecasts, Versus averaged 820,000 viewers, up 33.1% from 616,000 viewers for 15 telecasts last season. The net does not have exclusive coverage during the first two rounds of the playoffs. NBC is averaging a 1.1 rating with 1.6 million viewers for six postseason telecasts to date, up 22.2% and 14.5%, respectively, from a 0.9 rating and 1.4 million viewers through the same period last year (THE DAILY). GLOBESPORTS.com's Bruce Dowbiggin noted the 2.0 overnight Nielsen rating NBC recieved for its coverage of Blackhawks-Red Wings Game One Sunday is the "highest overnight rating for the NHL telecast -- outside of the Stanley Cup finals and the Winter Classic -- since a regional playoff game drew a 2.1 on ABC" in April '04. Hopes also are "high for a better number" for Game Four of the series on NBC on Sunday, as the NHL is "unopposed by an NBA playoff game" (GLOBESPORTS.com, 5/19).

CANADIAN RATINGS: In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich reported TSN for its coverage of the Conference Semifinals series round posted a 21% increase in viewers "over its second-round coverage last season with a 681,000 average." But there are "causes for concern" for hockey ratings, as the second round was a "slight downer on CBC." The net's average of 1.366 million viewers for the second round was down 1% from last year "despite the great hockey on display" (THESTAR.com, 5/19).

FOCUS ON THE ICE: The STAR's Zelkovich noted when a player scores a goal during the CBC's playoff coverage, the net's cameras "show the on-ice celebration before instantly going to the private boxes to show some rich guy in a suit (the owner) or another guy in a suit (the GM) reacting to the goal." Zelkovich: "How many viewers are sitting at home thinking, 'Geez, I wonder how [Blackhawks GM] Dale Tallon is going to react to that goal?'" Meanwhile, NBC NHL analyst Eddie Olczyk is "one of the best," but he "got caught nattering" during the net's Blackhawks-Red Wings telecast Sunday. Olczyk was "rambling about" Red Wings RW Mikael Samuelsson's "contract situation as the Wings scored their fourth goal" (THESTAR.com, 5/19).

DROPPING THE GLOVES: ESPN.com's Bill Simmons wrote, "I really like hockey again. A boom of superskilled players helped, but not as much as the NHL's reembracing its chippy DNA." Simmons: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but the NBA could learn something from the NHL." The NHL is "breathtaking to watch," and the players are "more brilliant than ever; games look gorgeous in HD." Simmons: "And like old times, all scores are settled on the ice" (ESPN.com, 5/19).