NBC Sports Network is averaging 693,000 viewers for the first eight days of NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games, up 31% compared to the net's coverage at the same point last season. The Flyers-Penguins Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Game Four on Wednesday has been the net's most-viewed game to date this postseason (1.03 million viewers). NBC also averaged a 1.5 final rating and 2.3 million viewers for its first three playoff telecasts last weekend, up 50% and 44%, respectively, from the first weekend of telecasts last year (two games). With games also being aired on CNBC this year, the NHL Playoffs on cable TV have seen 37% in total viewership compared to last year, when only Versus carried games. NBCSN and CNBC’s two-network average viewership is up 8% compared to the same days last year (576,000 vs. 531,000).
LOCAL SUPERLATIVES: FS Midwest averaged an 11.0 local rating in St. Louis for the Blues-Sharks Western Conference Quarterfinal Game Three on Monday night, marking the net’s highest-rated Blues telecast ever. The previous high was a 9.9 rating for the Blues-Stars Western Conference Semifinal Game Three in ’01. MSG Network on Monday night earned a 3.5 local rating for Rangers-Senators Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Game Three, which is tied with last year’s Capitals-Rangers Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Game One as the net’s highest-rated Rangers game since Rangers-Devils Eastern Conference Semifinal Game Three on May 6, 1997.
