NBC Sports Network has seen an 11% jump in viewers for its NHL game broadcasts so far this season as the net ramps up the number of contests it televises. Through 44 telecasts, the net is averaging 326,000 viewers, up from 293,000 viewers through the same period last year, when only 31 games had been telecast. Those figures translate to a 0.2 U.S. rating, which is flat. The season-opening Flyers-Bruins game on Oct. 6, which averaged 874,000 viewers, remains the net’s biggest NHL regular-season audience ever. NBCSN has also set local ratings records in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Tampa-St. Petersburg. The net is seeing ratings among all key adult and male demos up from last season as well. Meanwhile, NBC is averaging a 1.2 rating and 2.0 million viewers through four telecasts. Those figures include this season’s Rangers-Flyers Winter Classic, which drew the lowest TV audience since the event began five years ago. At the same point last season, NBC was averaging a 1.6 rating and 3.0 million viewers for only two telecasts.
LOCAL SECTION: Sabres’ games on MSG lead all NHL RSN ratings, as the team is averaging a 7.8 local rating. That figure is just above a 7.6 rating for Penguins games on Root Sports Pittsburgh. Rounding out the top five RSNs are the Bruins on NESN (5.3), Blackhawks on Comcast SportsNet Chicago (3.2) and the Flyers on CSN Philadelphia (3.2). The Bruins are seeing the biggest jump among NHL teams, with ratings up 90%. The Sharks rank second, with ratings up 82% on CSN California.
NORTHERN LIGHTS: The Maple Leafs are averaging 764,000 viewers for games on Sportsnet Ontario, tops among all clubs with games airing on Rogers Sportsnet RSNs. That figure is up 18% season-to-date. Canucks games on Sportsnet Pacific are averaging 455,000 viewers, up 7%. The Oilers (Sportsnet West) and Senators (Sportsnet East) are also seeing gains, up 2% and 10%, respectively. The only club seeing a drop are the Flames, down 4% on Sportsnet West.
