Record Ratings on NBC

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Record Ratings on NBC

NBC Sports' coverage of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night earned the best overnight rating (4.1 rating and 7 share) for a Game 2 on record (NHL overnight data prior to 1975 is unavailable) and was up 21 percent from last year's (3.4 rating for Game 2 of the series between Detroit and Pittsburgh).

NBC's broadcast of the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks peaked at a 4.7 rating and 8 share from 10:30-11 p.m. ET. The Chicago market delivered a 25.1/39, while Philadelphia earned an 18.5/29.

The Stanley Cup Final on NBC again won the night, as it did Saturday for Game 1, finishing No. 1 in prime time (2.4, Adults 18-49).

"These historic viewership numbers are the result of compelling stories and great play on the ice, two markets on fire for their teams, terrific coverage by our North American television partners, and a season's worth of unprecedented fan engagement on multiple platforms across North America," NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins said in a statement.

Last night's milestone comes on the heels of healthy ratings for Game 1, which earned the best overnight rating for a Game 1 in 11 years. The 2.8 overnight rating and 6 share was the highest since 1999, when Buffalo vs. Dallas did a 3.7 on Fox.

Canada also scored big during Game 1 of the Final, with CBC achieving an average audience of 3.16 million, an 83-percent increase from Game 1 in 2009.

NBC's two-game average overnight rating is a 3.5, the best for the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final in 11 years since the Buffalo-Dallas series in 1999 did a 3.8, and is up 17 percent over last year's 3.0 rating.

Top 10 Markets for First Two Games on NBC

1. Chicago – 21.0

2. Philadelphia – 15.9

3. Buffalo – 8.8

4. Pittsburgh – 4.5

5. Indianapolis – 4.0

6. Detroit – 3.8

7. Ft. Myers – 3.5

8. Las Vegas – 3.3

9. Orlando – 3.2

10. Columbus – 3.2

11. St. Louis – 3.2

[Guest Crymson]

Unsurprising. Pittsburgh is not a big market. Amongst other things, this makes very silly Bettman's concerted attempts to push the team.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Good to see the game is growing. Hopefully those record ratings aren't an indicator of bandwagon fans, but rather fans who will continue to watch regardless of who is playing.

[Carman 387]

I don't get why the first reply had to jab at Bettman/Pittsburgh.

On to the topic at hand it's great the see the game starting to draw in the ratings, it's definitely good news that the game is growing.

Edited June 2, 2010 by Carman

[MacK_Attack 108]

I'm surprised to see Indy as the 5th-best market.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I'm surprised to see Indy as the 5th-best market.

I wonder if the Coyotes might end up there soon

[babygorilla 1]

Wow. Ft. Myers and Orlando. That's a bit of a surprise. Must have been a hell of a lead-in.

[soultrain 43]

its because the world wants to see a walking penis with glasses.

Edited June 2, 2010 by soultrain

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

That's good news.

Funny how espn sporstwriters (idiots) are always blabbing about how no one cares about hockey, especially with Crosby/Ovechkin not in the Finals. Yet they make it sound like everyone cares about their overhyped, overrated NBA playoffs.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

That's good news.

Funny how espn sporstwriters (idiots) are always blabbing about how no one cares about hockey, especially with Crosby/Ovechkin not in the Finals. Yet they make it sound like everyone cares about their overhyped, overrated NBA playoffs.

It's not like the Lakers and Celtics have ever played in the Finals before.

[InKennyWeTrust 126]

Unsurprising. Pittsburgh is not a big market. Amongst other things, this makes very silly Bettman's concerted attempts to push the team.

So is that why the Pittsburgh viewership was 2 places above Detroit's? Not that I'm a fan of their team or anything, but that comment makes no sense in context.

[CenterIce 83]

I'm surprised to see Indy as the 5th-best market.

Indianapolis doesn't have a team, Chicago is close by.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

also there's pretty much nothing to do anywhere in indiana so might as well watch some hockey right

[jollymania 162]

So is that why the Pittsburgh viewership was 2 places above Detroit's? Not that I'm a fan of their team or anything, but that comment makes no sense in context.

pennsylvania

[hooon 1,089]

Ft. Meyers? really?

Makes total sense that the ratings are up. Because last year's final was a repeat of the year before, I'm guessing there was a lot of casual fans who just said "meh, I saw this last year". While I obviously would have wanted the Wings in the finals this year, as far as ratings go, it makes sense that having 2 new teams in there will bring a lot of new viewers.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

It's not like the Lakers and Celtics have ever played in the Finals before.

Dude espn always talks about how no one ever cares about hockey, yet they've overcovered the entire NBA playoffs like everyone cares about the NBA. I don't think that many people in this country care about the NBA.

[Konnan511 1,736]

That first reply was idiotic haha.

Mmmmm, higher viewership yield more sponsorship and TV revenue yielding a higher cap =)

KUTGW Bettman. Illitch loves spending money

Dude espn always talks about how no one ever cares about hockey, yet they've overcovered the entire NBA playoffs like everyone cares about the NBA. I don't think that many people in this country care about the NBA.

Except most major cities and the growing urban and poverty stricken cities in America.

[NC WINGS FAN 5]

Good to see the game is growing. Hopefully those record ratings aren't an indicator of bandwagon fans, but rather fans who will continue to watch regardless of who is playing.

I highly doubt it. The reason people are watching is because both teams play in big markets where hockey is relevant.

If it were Anaheim and Florida, no one would be watching.

[NC WINGS FAN 5]

So is that why the Pittsburgh viewership was 2 places above Detroit's? Not that I'm a fan of their team or anything, but that comment makes no sense in context.

That does not matter. What he is saying is that Pittsburgh is a small market. It does not matter if everyone in Pittsburgh watches the SCF and only half of New York does. There are still more people in New York watching.

Also, what he was getting at is that Philadelphia and Chicago are bigger markets than Pittsburgh, which usually translates to more fans/potential fans.

[MacK_Attack 108]

That does not matter. What he is saying is that Pittsburgh is a small market. It does not matter if everyone in Pittsburgh watches the SCF and only half of New York does. There are still more people in New York watching.

Also, what he was getting at is that Philadelphia and Chicago are bigger markets than Pittsburgh, which usually translates to more fans/potential fans.

But the Canadian numbers are way higher for this series.

Seems to me there's more interest across the board in these two teams.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i think the ratings in las vegas and florida have to do with the large number of "out of towners" live there. maybe?

[MacK_Attack 108]

i think the ratings in las vegas and florida have to do with the large number of "out of towners" live there. maybe?

I would think the Vegas numbers are a large number of bars and casinos that would have it on for gambling purposes.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

yeah that's true

[evilmrt 636]

I'd say its disappointing that the only Western city is Vegas. The NHL is not doing so hot in this half of the country, is it?

Also, what about moving the Blue Jackets over to Indianapolis?

[Z and D for the C 712]

Unsurprising. Pittsburgh is not a big market. Amongst other things, this makes very silly Bettman's concerted attempts to push the team.

Um...Pittsburgh is high up than us.