NHL On NBC’s Indoor Debut Even with Last Year in Overnight Ratings

According to Sports Business Daily (Subscription Req.) The NHL On NBC’s regular “Game of the Week” timeslot debut was even with last year’s.  The Rangers/Penguins game scored a 1.1/3 overnight, #2 in non-football programming that week (behind college hoops on ABC).

The matching game from last year, Rangers/Bruins on 1/18/08, also drew a 1.1.  This likely means the final rating will drop below a 1.0.  While it isn’t great considering the triumphant Winter Classic numbers, it’s a good sign that the NHL is staying on pace with it’s last NBC season.  With Penguins/Red Wings, the previous highest-rated game of the regular season (before the Witner Classic), coming up on Feb. 8 with little competition, the NBC Game of the Week is bound to improve.

NBC’s Average Overnight Ratings for 2009 NHL Telecasts:

1/1/09 – Detroit vs. Chicago, 1:00 PM: 2.9/6*
1/18/09 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh, 12:30 PM: 1.1/3
2009 Average Overnight Rating:  2.0/5

*1/1/09 Game played at Wrigley Field.