NHL Playoffs Down 4% In Viewers On Versus Through May 15, But NBC Seeing Gains

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Versus are averaging 757,000 viewers through May 15, down 4% from 789,000 viewers during the comparable period last year. The telecasts are flat at a 0.5 U.S. rating. While the viewership for this year’s playoffs is down on Versus, the network remains on pace for the second-best Stanley Cup Playoffs audience on cable since ’94. The net’s most-viewed game to date has been the Bruins-Flyers Eastern Conference Semifinal Game Two on May 2, which averaged 1.699 million viewers. Last year’s most-viewed non-Finals telecast was the Sharks-Red Wings Western Conference Semifinal Game Two which averaged 1.772 million viewers. Versus has also seen some record numbers in local markets. The Lightning-Bruins Eastern Conference Finals Game Two on Tuesday averaged a 14.59 local rating on Versus in Boston, marking the net’s best rating ever in the market for a Bruins game. Meanwhile, NBC is averaging a 1.2 rating and 1.929 million viewers for its six Stanley Cup Playoff telecasts to date, up 9% in ratings and viewership from a 1.1 rating and 1.774 million viewers at the same point last year (seven telecasts). The net’s Flyers-Sabres Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Game Six has been the most-viewed game with a 1.4 rating and 2.567 million viewers.