NBC Earns 4.4/7 Overnight For Red Wings' Cup-Clinching Win

Red Wings' Stanley Cup-Clinching Win Earns NBC 4.4/7 Overnight Nielsen Rating

ON NET: The GLOBE & MAIL’s William Houston writes both the CBC and NBC “did a fine job covering the Cup final, but NBC worked harder at it, got closer to the action and, correctly, focused on the star players.” NBC’s Pierre McGuire’s work between the benches gave NBC a “huge advantage over the CBC,” which does not employ an ice-level reporter. McGuire “was able to interview coaches and players between stoppages in play and reported on news from the benches.” NBC also “applies the traditional approach to promoting the game’s stars with profiles, information and commentary.” The focus for the CBC’s “HNIC” is “based largely on the likes and dislikes of the show’s two most powerful people,” Ron MacLean and Don Cherry (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/5). In California, Mark Whicker wrote the NHL is "quite watchable, especially now that it's on NBC." NBC's Ed Olczyk and McGuire "have great chemistry and can explain how goals begin, not just what happens at the goalmouth" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 6/3).

Instigator Penalty: In Denver, Adrian Dater writes in response to Tiger Woods’ recent comment that he does not think anybody watches hockey anymore, “A lot more people in this country watched hockey Monday night than have been watching PGA Tour tournaments lately.” Dater: “Two minutes in the penalty box for you, Tiger, for ignorance” (DENVER POST, 6/5). TSN's James Duthie: "I'll say this to Tiger: Nobody watches golf any more either! Except when you're playing, then everybody watches it" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/5).

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