Versus, NBC Continue To Track Increased NHL Playoff Viewership
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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).
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