Playoff Ratings Up 50% on NBC

NEW YORK – April 16, 2012 – Three NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games on NBC this past weekend averaged a 50% increase in overnight ratings compared to last year’s coverage on the network, according to official overnight ratings data released today by The Nielsen Company. The increase includes Sunday’s Flyers-Penguins game on NBC, which posted the best Conference Quarterfinal game in 11 years and the best for any NHL playoff game, excluding the Stanley Cup Final, in a decade.

 

This past weekend’s three games on NBC – Capitals-Bruins on Saturday, Predators-Red Wings in the early window on Sunday, and Penguins-Flyers in the late window on Sunday – combined for a 1.8 overnight rating, up 50% compared to two games broadcast on the same weekend on NBC last year, which averaged a 1.2 overnight.

 

PENGUINS-FLYERS: The Flyers 8-4 victory over the intra-state rival Penguins on Sunday registered a 2.3 overnight rating, up 77% compared to last year’s comparable game (Capitals-Rangers; 1.3 overnight) and making it the best overnight rating for a Conference Quarterfinal game in 11 years (4/21/01; ABC regional; 2.5), and the best for any NHL playoff game, excluding the Stanley Cup Final, in a decade (5/18/02; ABC, Avalanche-Red Wings Conference Final; 2.4).

 

CAPITALS-BRUINS: The Capitals 2-1 double-overtime win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins on Saturday produced a 1.5 overnight rating, up 36% compared to last year’s comparable game (Coyotes-Red Wings; 1.1 overnight).

 

PREDATORS-RED WINGS: The Predators 3-2 win over the Red Wings on Sunday generated a 1.5 overnight rating, which is up 36% compared to the NHL regular-season overnight average on NBC, excluding the Winter Classic and Thanksgiving Friday game. There is no network comparison to last year as NBC only broadcast two games the first weekend of the playoffs. This is the first year in NHL history that all playoff games are being shown nationally.

 

MOMENTUM CONTINUES: The NBC overnight results for 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs are consistent with ratings increases experienced by the NBC Sports Network. Through two days of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (the only national data available at this time), NBC Sports Network’s viewership is up 22% compared to the first two days of last year’s playoffs (600,000 vs. 490,000).

 

Wednesday’s and Thursday’s combined coverage of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on both NBC Sports Network and CNBC had a total audience of 5.37 million viewers, a 31% increase vs. last year, when NBC Sports Network (formerly VERSUS) was the only channel to show games (4.11 million).

Your Final NHL On NBC Sports Network Regular Season Ratings

Ratings for the NHL on NBC Sports Network, 2011-12 regular season

October 6
7:00 Boston vs. Philadelphia – 874,000
10:00 Pittsburgh vs. Vancouver – 342,000

October 7
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles – 101,000

October 8
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Anaheim – 124,000

October 10
7:00 Tampa Bay vs. Washington – 162,000

October 11
7:30 Florida vs. Pittsburgh – 216,000

October 12
7:30 Boston vs. Carolina – 312,000

October 17
7:30 Colorado vs. Toronto – 218,000

October 18
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota – 286,000

October 25
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Buffalo – 338,000

October 31
7:00 San Jose vs. NY Rangers – 169,000

November 1
7:30 Anaheim vs. Washington – 258,000

November 2
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Buffalo – 558,000

November 7
7:30 NY Islanders vs. Boston - 195,000

November 8
7:30 Carolina vs. New Jersey - 241,000

November 9
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay - 411,000

November 14
7:00 Buffalo vs. Montreal – 323,000

November 15
7:30 Colorado vs. Pittsburgh – 392,000

November 16
7:30 New Jersey vs. Buffalo - 285,000

November 21
7:30 NY Islanders vs. Pittsburgh – 198,000

November 22
7:30 Los Angeles vs. St. Louis – 245,000

November 28
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota – 232,000

November 29
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers – 394,000

November 30
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Detroit – 393,000

December 5
8:00 Phoenix vs. Chicago – 302,000 viewers

December 6
7:30 Detroit vs. St. Louis – 259,000

December 7
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Buffalo – 585,000

December 12
7:30 New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay – 201,000

December 13
9:00 San Jose vs. Colorado – 193,000

December 14
7:30 Chicago vs. Minnesota – 540,000

December 19
7:30 Anaheim vs. Dallas - 149,000

December 20
7:30 Chicago vs. Pittsburgh - 634,000

December 21
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Dallas - 462,000

December 26
7:30 Dallas vs. St. Louis - 270,000

December 27
7:30 St. Louis vs. Detroit - 195,000

December 28
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Washington - 327,000

January 2
8:00 San Jose vs. Vancouver – 267,000

January 3
8:00 Detroit vs. Dallas – 188,000

January 4
7:30 Boston vs. New Jersey – 435,000

January 8
7:30 Detroit vs. Chicago – 587,000 

January 10
7:30 San Jose vs. Minnesota – 237,000 

January 11
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Washington – 526,000

January 15
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Montreal – 202,000

January 16
7:30 Dallas vs. St. Louis - 238,000

January 17
7:30 Nashville vs. NY Rangers - 224,000

January 18
7:30 Buffalo vs. Chicago - 466,000 

January 23
7:30 St. Louis vs. Detroit – 429,000 

January 24
9:00 Minnesota vs. Colorado - 190,000

January 25
7:30 Detroit vs. Montreal - 241,000

January 28
7:00 Super-Skills Competition - 1.1 million

January 29
4:00 All-Star Game - 1.3 million

January 31
7:30 Washington vs. Tampa Bay - 264,000

February 1
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Buffalo - 478,000

February 5
12:30 Boston vs. Washington - 455,000

February 6
8:00 Detroit vs. Phoenix - 263,000

February 7
7:30 Los Angeles vs. Tampa Bay - 155,000

February 8
7:30 Boston vs. Buffalo - 455,000

February 12
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Detroit - 600,000

February 13
7:30 San Jose vs. Washington - 351,000

February 14
7:30 Anaheim vs. Minnesota - 173,000

February 15
7:30 Boston vs. Montreal - 417,000 

February 19
6:00 New Jersey vs. Montreal - 203,000

February 20
7:30 Washington vs. Carolina - 171,000

February 21
8:00 Detroit vs. Chicago - 228,000 

February 22
9:00 Los Angeles vs. Colorado - 166,000 

February 26
7:00 Chicago vs. Anaheim - 370,000 

February 27
7:30 New Jersey vs. NY Rangers - 287,000

February 28
7:30 Los Angeles vs. Minnesota - 156,000 

February 29
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Dallas - 456,000 

March 4
7:00 Philadelphia vs. Washington - 469,000

March 5
8:00 Buffalo vs. Winnipeg - 333,000

March 6
9:00 Minnesota vs. Colorado - 167,000

March 7
7:30 Toronto vs. Pittsburgh - 461,000

March 11
8:00 Los Angeles vs. Chicago – 397,000

March 12
9:00 Anaheim vs. Colorado - 180,000

March 13
7:30 Carolina vs. NY Rangers - 292,000

March 14
7:30 Colorado vs. Buffalo - 366,000

March 15
7:00 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers - 195,000

March 18
7:00 Washington vs. Chicago - 411,000 

March 19
7:30 New Jersey vs. NY Rangers - 347,000
10:15 Anaheim vs. San Jose - 182,000

March 20
8:00 Phoenix vs. Dallas - 182,000
10:57 San Jose vs. Los Angeles - 134,000 

March 21
7:30 Detroit vs. NY Rangers - 518,000

March 25
5:00 Minnesota vs. Washington – 202,000
7:30 Nashville vs. Chicago - 319,000 

March 26
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia - 411,000

March 27
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Boston - 188,000

March 28
7:30 Detroit vs. Columbus - 337,000

April 1
7:00 Boston vs. NY Rangers - 664,000 

April 2
7:00 Washington vs. Tampa Bay - 258,000

April 3
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Boston - 257,000
10:00 Anaheim vs. Vancouver - 132,000 

April 4
7:30 Detroit vs. St. Louis - 572,000

April 5
7:00 NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh - 182,000

April 6
7:30 Phoenix vs. St. Louis - 237,000

April 7
4:00 Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh - 691,000
6:30 Washington vs. NY Rangers - 423,000
10:30 Los Angeles vs. San Jose - 146,000  

10 Most-watched Games on NBCSN This Season
1. Boston vs. Philadelphia (10/6/11) - 874,000
2. Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh (4/7/12) - 691,000
3. Boston vs. NY Rangers (4/1/12) - 664,000
4. Chicago vs. Pittsburgh (12/20/11) - 634,000
5. Philadelphia vs. Detroit (2/12/12) - 600,000
6. Detroit vs. Chicago (1/8/12) - 587,000
7. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo (12/7/11) - 585,000
8. Detroit vs. St. Louis (4/4/12) - 572,000
9. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo (11/2/11) – 558,000
10. Chicago vs. Minnesota (12/14/11) – 540,000

10 Least-watched Games on NBCSN this Season

1. NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles (10/7/11)* – 101,000
2. NY Rangers vs. Anaheim (10/8/11)* – 124,000
3. Anaheim vs. Vancouver (4/3/12)* - 132,000
4. San Jose vs. Los Angeles (3/20/12)* - 134,000
5. Anaheim vs. Dallas (12/19/11) – 149,000 
6. Los Angeles vs. Tampa Bay (2/7/12) – 155,000
7. Los Angeles vs. San Jose (4/7/12)*- 146,000
8. Los Angeles vs. Minnesota (2/28/12) - 156,000 
9. Tampa Bay vs. Washington (10/10/11)* – 162,000
10. Los Angeles vs. Colorado (2/22/12) - 166,000

*- game blacked out in one or both home markets

Rangers-Red Wings Leads the Way For NBCSN in March

As has been the case for VERSUS/NBC Sports Network most of this season, Sundays, Wednesdays, and big markets led the way for the NHL in March. Here are some notes:

• The most watched game in March? March 21st’s Detroit-Rangers OT thriller, which attracted 518,000 viewers, 10th-most on the network this season.
• The least-watched game? Bonus coverage of a Sharks-Kings game on March 20th, which drew just 134,000 viewers. The game did not air exclusively in either local market. Only VERSUS’ broadcasts of the two NHL Premiere games from Europe in the middle of the afternoon were lower.
• The least-watched exclusive games of the month were Minnesota/Colorado (3/6/12) and Phoenix/Dallas (3/20/12), which tied with 167,000 viewers.
• Overall, viewers remain disinterested in everything west of Minnesota. None of the network’s bonus telecasts from the west coast drew more than 200,000 viewers, with the highest coming in for March 19th’s Ducks-Sharks tilt, which drew 182,000 viewers.
• The five most-watched telecasts in March happened on either Wednesdays or Sundays, continuing the trend of those being the two most-watched nights.
• A bit of a surprise? A March 5th Sabres-Jets game. The former Thrashers and Buffalo drew 333,000 viewers. For comparison, a March 28th Red Wings-Blue Jackets contest scored just 4,000 more viewers.

(Source: Son of the Bronx)

Ratings for the NHL on NBC Sports Network, 2011-12 regular season

October 6
7:00 Boston vs. Philadelphia – 874,000
10:00 Pittsburgh vs. Vancouver – 342,000

October 7
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles – 101,000

October 8
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Anaheim – 124,000

October 10
7:00 Tampa Bay vs. Washington – 162,000

October 11
7:30 Florida vs. Pittsburgh – 216,000

October 12
7:30 Boston vs. Carolina – 312,000

October 17
7:30 Colorado vs. Toronto – 218,000

October 18
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota – 286,000

October 25
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Buffalo – 338,000

October 31
7:00 San Jose vs. NY Rangers – 169,000

November 1
7:30 Anaheim vs. Washington – 258,000

November 2
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Buffalo – 558,000

November 7
7:30 NY Islanders vs. Boston - 195,000

November 8
7:30 Carolina vs. New Jersey - 241,000

November 9
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay - 411,000

November 14
7:00 Buffalo vs. Montreal – 323,000

November 15
7:30 Colorado vs. Pittsburgh – 392,000

November 16
7:30 New Jersey vs. Buffalo - 285,000

November 21
7:30 NY Islanders vs. Pittsburgh – 198,000

November 22
7:30 Los Angeles vs. St. Louis – 245,000

November 28
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota – 232,000

November 29
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers – 394,000

November 30
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Detroit – 393,000

December 5
8:00 Phoenix vs. Chicago – 302,000 viewers

December 6
7:30 Detroit vs. St. Louis – 259,000

December 7
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Buffalo – 585,000

December 12
7:30 New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay – 201,000

December 13
9:00 San Jose vs. Colorado – 193,000

December 14
7:30 Chicago vs. Minnesota – 540,000

December 19
7:30 Anaheim vs. Dallas - 149,000

December 20
7:30 Chicago vs. Pittsburgh - 634,000

December 21
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Dallas - 462,000

December 26
7:30 Dallas vs. St. Louis - 270,000

December 27
7:30 St. Louis vs. Detroit - 195,000

December 28
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Washington - 327,000

January 2
8:00 San Jose vs. Vancouver – 267,000

January 3
8:00 Detroit vs. Dallas – 188,000

January 4
7:30 Boston vs. New Jersey – 435,000

January 8
7:30 Detroit vs. Chicago – 587,000 

January 10
7:30 San Jose vs. Minnesota – 237,000 

January 11
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Washington – 526,000

January 15
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Montreal – 202,000

January 16
7:30 Dallas vs. St. Louis - 238,000

January 17
7:30 Nashville vs. NY Rangers - 224,000

January 18
7:30 Buffalo vs. Chicago - 466,000 

January 23
7:30 St. Louis vs. Detroit – 429,000 

January 24
9:00 Minnesota vs. Colorado - 190,000

January 25
7:30 Detroit vs. Montreal - 241,000

January 28
7:00 Super-Skills Competition - 1.1 million

January 29
4:00 All-Star Game - 1.3 million

January 31
7:30 Washington vs. Tampa Bay - 264,000

February 1
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Buffalo - 478,000

February 5
12:30 Boston vs. Washington - 455,000

February 6
8:00 Detroit vs. Phoenix - 263,000

February 7
7:30 Los Angeles vs. Tampa Bay - 155,000

February 8
7:30 Boston vs. Buffalo - 455,000

February 12
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Detroit - 600,000

February 13
7:30 San Jose vs. Washington - 351,000

February 14
7:30 Anaheim vs. Minnesota - 173,000

February 15
7:30 Boston vs. Montreal - 417,000 

February 19
6:00 New Jersey vs. Montreal - 203,000

February 20
7:30 Washington vs. Carolina - 171,000

February 21
8:00 Detroit vs. Chicago - 228,000 

February 22
9:00 Los Angeles vs. Colorado - 166,000 

February 26
7:00 Chicago vs. Anaheim - 370,000 

February 27
7:30 New Jersey vs. NY Rangers - 287,000

February 28
7:30 Los Angeles vs. Minnesota - 156,000 

February 29
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Dallas - 456,000 

March 4
7:00 Philadelphia vs. Washington - 469,000

March 5
8:00 Buffalo vs. Winnipeg - 333,000

March 6
9:00 Minnesota vs. Colorado - 167,000

March 7
7:30 Toronto vs. Pittsburgh - 461,000

March 11
8:00 Los Angeles vs. Chicago – 397,000

March 12
9:00 Anaheim vs. Colorado - 180,000

March 13
7:30 Carolina vs. NY Rangers - 292,000

March 14
7:30 Colorado vs. Buffalo - 366,000

March 15
7:00 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers - 195,000

March 18
7:00 Washington vs. Chicago - 411,000 

March 19
7:30 New Jersey vs. NY Rangers - 347,000
10:15 Anaheim vs. San Jose - 182,000

March 20
8:00 Phoenix vs. Dallas - 182,000
10:57 San Jose vs. Los Angeles - 134,000 

March 21
7:30 Detroit vs. NY Rangers - 518,000

March 25
5:00 Minnesota vs. Washington – 202,000
7:30 Nashville vs. Chicago - 319,000 

March 26
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia - 411,000

March 27
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Boston - 188,000

March 28
7:30 Detroit vs. Columbus - 337,000

April 1
7:00 Boston vs. NY Rangers - 664,000 

April 4
7:30 Detroit vs. St. Louis - 572,000

10 Most-watched Games on NBCSN This Season
1. Boston vs. Philadelphia (10/6/11) - 874,000
2. Boston vs. NY Rangers (4/1/12) - 664,000
3. Chicago vs. Pittsburgh (12/20/11) - 634,000
4. Philadelphia vs. Detroit (2/12/12) - 600,000
5. Detroit vs. Chicago (1/8/12) - 587,000
6. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo (12/7/11) - 585,000
7. Detroit vs. St. Louis (4/4/12) - 572,000
8. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo (11/2/11) – 558,000
9. Chicago vs. Minnesota (12/14/11) – 540,000
10. Pittsburgh vs. Washington (1/11/12) – 526,000

10 Least-watched Games on NBCSN this Season

1. NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles (10/7/11)* – 101,000
2. NY Rangers vs. Anaheim (10/8/11)* – 124,000
3. San Jose vs. Los Angeles (3/20/12)* - 134,000
3. Anaheim vs. Dallas (12/19/11) – 149,000 
4. Los Angeles vs. Tampa Bay (2/7/12) – 155,000
5. Los Angeles vs. Minnesota (2/28/12) - 156,000 
6. Tampa Bay vs. Washington* (10/10/11) – 162,000
7. Los Angeles vs. Colorado (2/22/12) - 166,000
t8. Minnesota vs. Colorado (3/6/12) - 167,000
t8. Phoenix vs. Dallas (3/20/12) - 167,000
10. San Jose vs. NY Rangers* (10/31/11) – 169,000

*-was blacked out in one or both of the home markets.

Philly Does Best Network Numbers Since Lindros’ Return

Larger-than-usual numbers in Philadelphia drove NBC to higher ratings for NHL action on Sunday.

The network’s broadcast of Flyers-Pens, which drew a 1.2 overnight, scored a 4.7 local rating in Philadelphia. Excluding the two Winter Classics the Flyers have participated in, this is the best number for a regular season game in Philly since January 12, 2002, when the Rangers hosted the Flyers – and Eric Lindros returned to Philadelphia for the first time – on ABC. That game drew a whopping 9.7. Yesterday’s game drew a fairly standard 12.7 in Pittsburgh.

The 1.2 overnight was – excluding special events (Winter Classics and Hockey Day in America) – the best numbers for a regular season game since 2010, when a Penguins-Capitals game scored a 1.3 overnight.

(Source: NBC Sports) 

Flyers-Pens Draws Best Numbers Ever For April Regular Season Game on NBC

Without NCAA Tournament games to challenge it, a wild Flyers-Penguins game drew solid numbers for NBC on Sunday.

The network’s second consecutive broadcast featuring Philadelphia and Pittsburgh drew a 1.2 overnight rating, according to Sports Bustiness Daily (reg. required). This is the best number NBC has drawn since the regional window on Hockey Day in America (2/19/12: 1.4), and the best number NBC has drawn for a single game since the Winter Classic. The last time NBC hit a 1.2 with a single game was in February of 2011 (2/20/11, PIT vs. CHI).

The game was up 17% from last year’s comparable broadcast (4/3/11, NYR vs. PHI: 1.0), and up 17% from the comparable broadcast in 2010 (4/4/10, DET vs. PHI: 1.0). It was also up 17% from two weeks’ ago, when the network also aired Pens/Flyers. In fact, it drew the best numbers ever for a regular season game in April on the network. The last time the NHL drew this high a number for a regular season April telecast was 2001 on ABC (4/7/01, COL/DET, PIT/PHI, NYR/FLA, DAL/SJ: 1.4). With the regular season winding down, April can often be a bit of a dead zone for NHL ratings, but a seriously entertaining Pens-Flyers game beat that.

The NHL on NBC has it’s seventh (!) regular season finale on Saturday, with the Blackhawks visiting the Red Wings.

NHL On NBC Overnights This Season
November 25 – Detroit vs. Boston: 1.0
January 1 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 2.4
January 14 – Chicago vs. Detroit: 1.1
January 22 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
February 12 – Washington vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
February 19 – Regional Coverage (SJ/DET, PIT/BUF, STL/CHI): 1.4
February 19 – Boston vs. Minnesota: 1.0
March 4 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
March 11 – Boston vs. Pittsburgh: 0.8
March 18 – Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
April 1 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh: 1.2
Average: 1.1

NHL On NBC Overnights For 2010-11 Season
January 1 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 2.8
January 23 – Philadelphia vs. Chicago: 1.1
February 6 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.0
February 13 – Boston vs. Detroit: 0.9
February 20 – Regional Coverage (PHI/NYR, WSH/BUF, DET/MIN): 1.2
February 20 – Pittsburgh vs. Chicago*: 1.2
March 6 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 0.9
March 13 – Chicago vs. Washington: 0.9
March 20 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 0.7
April 3 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
April 10 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.1
Season Average: 1.1

2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

Apr. 16 – Phoenix vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.1 
Apr. 17 – Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 3: 1.3
Apr. 23 – NY Rangers vs. Washington, Game 5: 1.3
Apr. 24 – Philadelphia vs. Buffalo, Game 6: 1.6
Apr. 30 – Boston vs. Philadelphia, Game 1: 1.5
May 1 – Detroit vs. San Jose, Game 2: 1.6
May 21 – Boston vs. Tampa Bay, Game 4: 1.5
May 22 – Vancouver vs. San Jose, Game 4: 1.3
Average To Date: 1.4

NHL on NBC Overnights for 2009-10 Season

Jan. 1, Philadelphia vs. Boston*: 2.6
Jan. 17, Chicago vs. Detroit: 0.8
Jan. 24, Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: 1.3
Jan. 31, Detroit vs. Pittsburgh: 1.2
Feb. 7, Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.3
Mar. 7, Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.2 
Mar. 14, Washington vs. Chicago: 1.0
Mar. 21, NY Rangers vs. Boston: 0.7
Apr. 4, Detroit vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
Apr. 11, Boston vs. Washington: 0.9
Season Average: 1.2

2010 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

Apr. 17 – Boston vs. Buffalo, Game 2: 1.2
Apr. 18 – Phoenix vs. Detroit, Game 3: 1.5
Apr. 24 – Nashville vs. Chicago, Game 5: 1.3
Apr. 25 – Phoenix vs. Detroit, Game 6: 1.3
May 1 – Philadelphia vs. Boston, Game 1: 1.6
May 2 – Montreal vs. Pittsburgh, Game 2: 1.6
May 16 – Chicago vs. San Jose, Game 1: 1.7
May 22 – Philadelphia vs. Montreal, Game 4: 1.6
May 23 – San Jose vs. Chicago, Game 4: 2.0
Playoff Average: 1.5

2009 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

Apr. 18 – NY Rangers vs. Washington, Game 2: 1.0
Apr. 19 – Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Game 3: 1.7
Apr. 25 – Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Game 6: 1.2
Apr. 26 – Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 6: 1.0
May 2 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington, Game 1: 1.4
May 3 – Anaheim vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.3
May 17 – Chicago vs. Detroit, Game 1: 2.0
May 24 – Detroit vs. Chicago, Game 4: 1.5
Playoff Average: 1.3

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2008-09 Season

January 1 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 2.9
January 18 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
February 8 – Detroit vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1 
February 15 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 0.9
February 22 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.1
March 8 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
March 15 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 1.1
March 22 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh: 1.0
April 5 – Minnesota vs. Detroit: 0.9
April 12 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 0.6

2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

April 12 – Nashville vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.0
April 13 – Philadelphia vs. Washington, Game 2: 1.0
April 19 – Philadelphia vs. Washington, Game 5: 1.2
April 20 – Detroit vs. Nashville, Game 6: 1.3
April 26 – Colorado vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.0
April 27 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh, Game 2: 1.2 
May 4 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh, Game 5: 1.5
May 17 – Dallas vs. Detroit, Game 5: 1.5
May 18 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh, Game 5: 1.7

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2007-08 Season

January 1 – Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo: 2.6
January 20 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.1
February 3 – NY Rangers vs. Montreal: 0.8
February 10 – Anaheim vs. Detroit: 0.9
February 17 – Detroit vs. Dallas: 0.8
March 2 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 1.1
March 9 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.0
March 16 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
March 30 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 1.0
April 6 – Chicago vs. Detroit: 0.8

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs Overnights

April 14 – Regional Coverage (PIT vs. OTT, NYR vs. ATL): 1.2
April 15 – Calgary vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.4
April 21 – Calgary vs. Detroit, Game 5: 0.9
April 22 – New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay, Game 6: 1.1
April 28 – San Jose vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.0
April 29 – Buffalo vs. NY Rangers, Game 3: 1.3
May 5 – San Jose vs. Detroit, Game 5: 1.4
May 6 – Buffalo vs. NY Rangers, Game 6: 1.4
May 19 – Ottawa vs. Buffalo, Game 5: 0.9
May 20 – Anaheim vs. Detroit, Game 5: 1.4

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2006-07 Season

January 13 – Regional Coverage (PIT vs. PHI, BOS vs. NYR, LA vs. STL): 1.1
January 28 – Regional Coverage (COL vs. DET, DAL vs. ANA, PHI vs. ATL): 1.3
February 11 – Regional Coverage (COL vs. DAL, TB vs. NJ, CHI vs. CLB): 0.9
February 18 – Regional Coverage (WSH vs. PIT, CHI vs. NYR, SJ vs. DAL): 1.0
March 4 – Regional Coverage (COL vs. DET, PHI vs. PIT): 1.3
March 11 – Regional Coverage (BOS vs. DET, CAR vs. NYR): 1.0
March 25 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. NYI, BOS vs. PIT): 1.1
April 1 – Regional Coverage (CLB vs. DET, LA vs. SJ): 1.0
April 8 – Regional Coverage (BUF vs. PHI, CHI vs. DAL): 0.9

2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs Overnights

April 22 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. NJ, COL vs. DAL): 1.3
April 23 – Regional Coverage (EDM vs. DET, SJ vs. NSH): 1.5
April 29 – Regional Coverage (NJ vs. NYR, EDM vs. DET): 1.2
April 30 – Regional Coverage (PHI vs. BUF, COL vs. DAL): 1.5
May 6 – New Jersey vs. Carolina, Game 1: 1.1
May 7 – Colorado vs. Anaheim, Game 2: 0.9
May 13 – Carolina vs. New Jersey, Game 4: 1.0
May 20 – Buffalo vs. Carolina, Game 1: 1.2

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2005-06 Season

January 14 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. DET, COL vs. PHI, DAL vs. BOS): 1.5
January 21 – Regional Coverage (PHI vs. PIT, DET vs. COL, SJ vs. LA): 1.3
January 28 – Regional Coverage (PIT vs. NYR, TB vs. PHI, DET vs. DAL): 1.3
February 4 – Regional Coverage (DET vs. COL, NYI vs. PIT, DAL vs. STL): 1.2
April 8 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. BOS, STL vs. COL, ANA vs. LA): 0.9
April 15 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. PHI, MIN vs. DAL, BOS vs. ATL): 1.0

Caps/Hawks Top Week For NBCSN, Crosby Return Down From Last Time

In a week featuring the return (again) of Sidney Crosby, it was Alexander Ovechkin and Patrick Kane driving NHL numbers on NBC Sports Network.

Sunday’s Capitals/Blackhawks game topped the ratings for NBCSN, drawing 411,000 viewers. It built big-time on it’s lead-in, a Philadelphia-Colorado MLS telecast that drew 124,000 viewers. It was also up from last week’s Sunday night game, Kings/Blackhawks, which drew 397,000 viewers. The next closest telecast was Wednesday’s Colorado/Buffalo game, which drew 366,000 viewers.

Meanwhile, without local markets assisting, Sidney Crosby remains unable to move the needle much for the network. His return on Thursday against the Rangers drew 195,000 viewers. That was down 3,000 from his previous return on November against the Islanders, which drew 198,000. Just for comparison’s sake, a Carolina/NY Rangers game that aired on Tuesday and was blacked out in New York fared much better, scoring 292,000 viewers.

(Source: John Ourand) 

October 6
7:00 Boston vs. Philadelphia – 874,000
10:00 Pittsburgh vs. Vancouver – 342,000

October 7
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles – 101,000

October 8
1:00 NY Rangers vs. Anaheim – 124,000

October 10
7:00 Tampa Bay vs. Washington – 162,000

October 11
7:30 Florida vs. Pittsburgh – 216,000

October 12
7:30 Boston vs. Carolina – 312,000

October 17
7:30 Colorado vs. Toronto – 218,000

October 18
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota – 286,000

October 25
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Buffalo – 338,000

October 31
7:00 San Jose vs. NY Rangers – 169,000

November 1
7:30 Anaheim vs. Washington – 258,000

November 2
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Buffalo – 558,000

November 7
7:30 NY Islanders vs. Boston - 195,000

November 8
7:30 Carolina vs. New Jersey - 241,000

November 9
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay - 411,000

November 14
7:00 Buffalo vs. Montreal – 323,000

November 15
7:30 Colorado vs. Pittsburgh – 392,000

November 16
7:30 New Jersey vs. Buffalo - 285,000

November 21
7:30 NY Islanders vs. Pittsburgh – 198,000

November 22
7:30 Los Angeles vs. St. Louis – 245,000

November 28
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota – 232,000

November 29
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers – 394,000

November 30
7:30 Tampa Bay vs. Detroit – 393,000

December 5
8:00 Phoenix vs. Chicago – 302,000 viewers

December 6
7:30 Detroit vs. St. Louis – 259,000

December 7
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Buffalo – 585,000

December 12
7:30 New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay – 201,000

December 13
9:00 San Jose vs. Colorado – 193,000

December 14
7:30 Chicago vs. Minnesota – 540,000

December 19
7:30 Anaheim vs. Dallas - 149,000

December 20
7:30 Chicago vs. Pittsburgh - 634,000

December 21
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Dallas - 462,000

December 26
7:30 Dallas vs. St. Louis - 270,000

December 27
7:30 St. Louis vs. Detroit - 195,000

December 28
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Washington - 327,000

January 2
8:00 San Jose vs. Vancouver – 267,000

January 3
8:00 Detroit vs. Dallas – 188,000

January 4
7:30 Boston vs. New Jersey – 435,000

January 8
7:30 Detroit vs. Chicago – 587,000 

January 10
7:30 San Jose vs. Minnesota – 237,000 

January 11
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Washington – 526,000

January 15
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Montreal – 202,000

January 16
7:30 Dallas vs. St. Louis - 238,000

January 17
7:30 Nashville vs. NY Rangers - 224,000

January 18
7:30 Buffalo vs. Chicago - 466,000 

January 23
7:30 St. Louis vs. Detroit – 429,000 

January 24
9:00 Minnesota vs. Colorado - 190,000

January 25
7:30 Detroit vs. Montreal - 241,000

January 28
7:00 Super-Skills Competition - 1.1 million

January 29
4:00 All-Star Game - 1.3 million

January 31
7:30 Washington vs. Tampa Bay - 264,000

February 1
7:30 NY Rangers vs. Buffalo - 478,000

February 5
12:30 Boston vs. Washington - 455,000

February 6
8:00 Detroit vs. Phoenix - 263,000

February 7
7:30 Los Angeles vs. Tampa Bay - 155,000

February 8
7:30 Boston vs. Buffalo - 455,000

February 12
7:30 Philadelphia vs. Detroit - 600,000

February 13
7:30 San Jose vs. Washington - 351,000

February 14
7:30 Anaheim vs. Minnesota - 173,000

February 15
7:30 Boston vs. Montreal - 417,000 

February 19
6:00 New Jersey vs. Montreal - 203,000

February 20
7:30 Washington vs. Carolina - 171,000

February 21
8:00 Detroit vs. Chicago - 228,000 

February 22
9:00 Los Angeles vs. Colorado - 166,000 

February 26
7:00 Chicago vs. Anaheim - 370,000 

February 27
7:30 New Jersey vs. NY Rangers - 287,000

February 28
7:30 Los Angeles vs. Minnesota - 156,000 

February 29
7:30 Pittsburgh vs. Dallas - 456,000 

March 6
9:00 Minnesota vs. Colorado - 167,000 

March 11
8:00 Los Angeles vs. Chicago – 397,000

March 12
9:00 Anaheim vs. Colorado - 180,000

March 13
7:30 Carolina vs. NY Rangers - 292,000

March 14
7:30 Colorado vs. Buffalo - 366,000

March 15
7:00 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers - 195,000

March 18
7:00 Washington vs. Chicago - 411,000 

10 Most-watched Games on NBCSN This Season
1. Boston vs. Philadelphia (10/6/11) - 874,000
2. Chicago vs. Pittsburgh (12/20/11) - 634,000
3. Philadelphia vs. Detroit (2/12/12) - 600,000
4. Detroit vs. Chicago (1/8/12) - 587,000
5. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo (12/7/11) - 585,000
6. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo (11/2/11) – 558,000
7. Chicago vs. Minnesota (12/14/11) – 540,000
8. Pittsburgh vs. Washington (1/11/12) – 526,000
9. NY Rangers vs. Buffalo (2/1/12) – 478,000
10. Buffalo vs. Chicago (1/18/12) – 466,000 

10 Least-watched Games on NBCSN this Season
1. NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles (10/7/11)* – 101,000
2. NY Rangers vs. Anaheim (10/8/11)* – 124,000
3. Anaheim vs. Dallas (12/19/11) – 149,000 
4. Los Angeles vs. Tampa Bay (2/7/12) – 155,000
5. Los Angeles vs. Minnesota (2/28/12) - 156,000 
6. Tampa Bay vs. Washington* (10/10/11) – 162,000
7. Los Angeles vs. Colorado (2/22/12) - 166,000
8. Minnesota vs. Colorado (3/6/12) - 167,000 
9. San Jose vs. NY Rangers* (10/31/11) – 169,000
10. Washington vs. Carolina* (2/20/12) - 171,000

*-was blacked out in one or both of the home markets.

Pittsburgh Shows Up Big For Pens-Flyers Showdown

The local ratings are in for Sunday’s NBC Game of the Week, and as usual, the Pittsburgh market put up a gaudy number.

The Steel City scored a 15.1/31 for the Penguins-Flyers game. The Battle of Pennsylvania was watched by nearly one of every three households with a television on in the Pittsburgh market. The game was notable for being the third game back for Sidney Crosby and a part of the Pens comeback chase for the Eastern Conference lead. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the game drew a somewhat less impressive 3.7/9. Though, it is always worth reminding you, Philadelphia is a much larger market than Pittsburgh.

The two rivals battle again on NBC in two weeks time, so it’ll be interesting to see if numbers go up or down for either city.

(Source: NBC Sports) 

Pens-Flyers Buzzer Beater Up 43%, Still Low

Sunday’s Penguins-Flyers overtime thriller produced better numbers than NBC did last year against the NCAA Tournament, but still was barely over the Mendoza line.

The broadcast of Pittsburgh-Philadelphia — which will be the NBC Game of the Week again on April 1st — drew a 1.0 overnight rating. This was up 43% from last year’s comparable matchup (NYR/PIT, no Crosby, 3/20/11: 0.7). It was also up 43% from the comparable matchup two years ago (NYR/BOS, 3/21/10: 0.7) and up 20% from last week’s NBC game featuring the Penguins without Crosby (BOS/PIT, 3/11/12: 0.8). The game’s major competition was NC State-Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament (4.3) and NASCAR’s Food City 500 (4.0).

The NHL on NBC returns in two weeks, with the aforementioned Flyers-Pens rematch.

NHL On NBC Overnights This Season
November 25 – Detroit vs. Boston: 1.0
January 1 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 2.4
January 14 – Chicago vs. Detroit: 1.1
January 22 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
February 12 – Washington vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
February 19 – Regional Coverage (SJ/DET, PIT/BUF, STL/CHI): 1.4
February 19 – Boston vs. Minnesota: 1.0
March 4 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
March 11 – Boston vs. Pittsburgh: 0.8
Average: 1.1

NHL On NBC Overnights For 2010-11 Season
January 1 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 2.8
January 23 – Philadelphia vs. Chicago: 1.1
February 6 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.0
February 13 – Boston vs. Detroit: 0.9
February 20 – Regional Coverage (PHI/NYR, WSH/BUF, DET/MIN): 1.2
February 20 – Pittsburgh vs. Chicago*: 1.2
March 6 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 0.9
March 13 – Chicago vs. Washington: 0.9
March 20 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 0.7
April 3 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
April 10 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.1
Season Average: 1.1

2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

Apr. 16 – Phoenix vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.1 
Apr. 17 – Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 3: 1.3
Apr. 23 – NY Rangers vs. Washington, Game 5: 1.3
Apr. 24 – Philadelphia vs. Buffalo, Game 6: 1.6
Apr. 30 – Boston vs. Philadelphia, Game 1: 1.5
May 1 – Detroit vs. San Jose, Game 2: 1.6
May 21 – Boston vs. Tampa Bay, Game 4: 1.5
May 22 – Vancouver vs. San Jose, Game 4: 1.3
Average To Date: 1.4

NHL on NBC Overnights for 2009-10 Season

Jan. 1, Philadelphia vs. Boston*: 2.6
Jan. 17, Chicago vs. Detroit: 0.8
Jan. 24, Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: 1.3
Jan. 31, Detroit vs. Pittsburgh: 1.2
Feb. 7, Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.3
Mar. 7, Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.2 
Mar. 14, Washington vs. Chicago: 1.0
Mar. 21, NY Rangers vs. Boston: 0.7
Apr. 4, Detroit vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
Apr. 11, Boston vs. Washington: 0.9
Season Average: 1.2

2010 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

Apr. 17 – Boston vs. Buffalo, Game 2: 1.2
Apr. 18 – Phoenix vs. Detroit, Game 3: 1.5
Apr. 24 – Nashville vs. Chicago, Game 5: 1.3
Apr. 25 – Phoenix vs. Detroit, Game 6: 1.3
May 1 – Philadelphia vs. Boston, Game 1: 1.6
May 2 – Montreal vs. Pittsburgh, Game 2: 1.6
May 16 – Chicago vs. San Jose, Game 1: 1.7
May 22 – Philadelphia vs. Montreal, Game 4: 1.6
May 23 – San Jose vs. Chicago, Game 4: 2.0
Playoff Average: 1.5

2009 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

Apr. 18 – NY Rangers vs. Washington, Game 2: 1.0
Apr. 19 – Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Game 3: 1.7
Apr. 25 – Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Game 6: 1.2
Apr. 26 – Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 6: 1.0
May 2 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington, Game 1: 1.4
May 3 – Anaheim vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.3
May 17 – Chicago vs. Detroit, Game 1: 2.0
May 24 – Detroit vs. Chicago, Game 4: 1.5
Playoff Average: 1.3

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2008-09 Season

January 1 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 2.9
January 18 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
February 8 – Detroit vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1 
February 15 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 0.9
February 22 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.1
March 8 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
March 15 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 1.1
March 22 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh: 1.0
April 5 – Minnesota vs. Detroit: 0.9
April 12 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 0.6

2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Overnights

April 12 – Nashville vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.0
April 13 – Philadelphia vs. Washington, Game 2: 1.0
April 19 – Philadelphia vs. Washington, Game 5: 1.2
April 20 – Detroit vs. Nashville, Game 6: 1.3
April 26 – Colorado vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.0
April 27 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh, Game 2: 1.2 
May 4 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh, Game 5: 1.5
May 17 – Dallas vs. Detroit, Game 5: 1.5
May 18 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh, Game 5: 1.7

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2007-08 Season

January 1 – Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo: 2.6
January 20 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.1
February 3 – NY Rangers vs. Montreal: 0.8
February 10 – Anaheim vs. Detroit: 0.9
February 17 – Detroit vs. Dallas: 0.8
March 2 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 1.1
March 9 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.0
March 16 – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
March 30 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 1.0
April 6 – Chicago vs. Detroit: 0.8

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs Overnights

April 14 – Regional Coverage (PIT vs. OTT, NYR vs. ATL): 1.2
April 15 – Calgary vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.4
April 21 – Calgary vs. Detroit, Game 5: 0.9
April 22 – New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay, Game 6: 1.1
April 28 – San Jose vs. Detroit, Game 2: 1.0
April 29 – Buffalo vs. NY Rangers, Game 3: 1.3
May 5 – San Jose vs. Detroit, Game 5: 1.4
May 6 – Buffalo vs. NY Rangers, Game 6: 1.4
May 19 – Ottawa vs. Buffalo, Game 5: 0.9
May 20 – Anaheim vs. Detroit, Game 5: 1.4

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2006-07 Season

January 13 – Regional Coverage (PIT vs. PHI, BOS vs. NYR, LA vs. STL): 1.1
January 28 – Regional Coverage (COL vs. DET, DAL vs. ANA, PHI vs. ATL): 1.3
February 11 – Regional Coverage (COL vs. DAL, TB vs. NJ, CHI vs. CLB): 0.9
February 18 – Regional Coverage (WSH vs. PIT, CHI vs. NYR, SJ vs. DAL): 1.0
March 4 – Regional Coverage (COL vs. DET, PHI vs. PIT): 1.3
March 11 – Regional Coverage (BOS vs. DET, CAR vs. NYR): 1.0
March 25 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. NYI, BOS vs. PIT): 1.1
April 1 – Regional Coverage (CLB vs. DET, LA vs. SJ): 1.0
April 8 – Regional Coverage (BUF vs. PHI, CHI vs. DAL): 0.9

2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs Overnights

April 22 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. NJ, COL vs. DAL): 1.3
April 23 – Regional Coverage (EDM vs. DET, SJ vs. NSH): 1.5
April 29 – Regional Coverage (NJ vs. NYR, EDM vs. DET): 1.2
April 30 – Regional Coverage (PHI vs. BUF, COL vs. DAL): 1.5
May 6 – New Jersey vs. Carolina, Game 1: 1.1
May 7 – Colorado vs. Anaheim, Game 2: 0.9
May 13 – Carolina vs. New Jersey, Game 4: 1.0
May 20 – Buffalo vs. Carolina, Game 1: 1.2

NHL On NBC Overnights for the 2005-06 Season

January 14 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. DET, COL vs. PHI, DAL vs. BOS): 1.5
January 21 – Regional Coverage (PHI vs. PIT, DET vs. COL, SJ vs. LA): 1.3
January 28 – Regional Coverage (PIT vs. NYR, TB vs. PHI, DET vs. DAL): 1.3
February 4 – Regional Coverage (DET vs. COL, NYI vs. PIT, DAL vs. STL): 1.2
April 8 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. BOS, STL vs. COL, ANA vs. LA): 0.9
April 15 – Regional Coverage (NYR vs. PHI, MIN vs. DAL, BOS vs. ATL): 1.0

(Source: Sports Business Daily, reg. required) 

Bruins-Penguins Hits Season Low on Sunday

Against college basketball’s final day of the regular season, the NHL on NBC faltered.

The network’s broadcast of the Boston Bruins vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins drew a season low 0.8 overnight rating according to Sports Business Daily (reg. required), the lowest number for a game on the network since March 20, 2011 (NYR/PIT: 0.7). The game was beaten by both a college basketball pre-game show (1.0) and the Atlantic 10 championship game (1.4) on CBS.

Bruins/Penguins was down 23% from last year’s comparable game (3/13/11, CHI/WSH: 0.9) and 30% from two years ago (3/14/10, WSH/CHI: 1.0). For more numbers, check The Hockey Ratings Database.

The network will look to rebound next Sunday against March Madness, but with a matchup (Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh) that drew VERSUS’ highest ratings last season, and potentially armed with a returning Sidney Crosby, so we’ll see.

NHL On NBC Overnights This Season
November 25 – Detroit vs. Boston: 1.0
January 1 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 2.4
January 14 – Chicago vs. Detroit: 1.1
January 22 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 1.1
February 12 – Washington vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
February 19 – Regional Coverage (SJ/DET, PIT/BUF, STL/CHI): 1.4
February 19 – Boston vs. Minnesota: 1.0
March 4 – Boston vs. NY Rangers: 1.0
March 11 – Boston vs. Pittsburgh: 0.8
Average: 1.1

NHL On NBC Overnights For 2010-11 Season
January 1 – Washington vs. Pittsburgh: 2.8
January 23 – Philadelphia vs. Chicago: 1.1
February 6 – Pittsburgh vs. Washington: 1.0
February 13 – Boston vs. Detroit: 0.9
February 20 – Regional Coverage (PHI/NYR, WSH/BUF, DET/MIN): 1.2
February 20 – Pittsburgh vs. Chicago*: 1.2
March 6 – Philadelphia vs. NY Rangers: 0.9
March 13 – Chicago vs. Washington: 0.9
March 20 – NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh: 0.7
April 3 – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 1.0
April 10 – Detroit vs. Chicago: 1.1
Season Average: 1.1

Boston, New York Solid, if Not Spectacular on Sunday

There are a few things that can be taken away from NBC’s Sunday telecast of the Bruins and Rangers. One is that, it would probably not be best to schedule a hockey game featuring two markets at the same time those two markets are playing each other in basketball on a competing network. However, on the good side, hockey performed to it’s normal levels without having the luxury of dominating it’s dependable local markets, meaning the sport is slowly, but surely gaining traction with completely neutral hockey fans.

We’ll go to the most upsetting news first, where the Rangers – first place in the Eastern Conference by a mile, with charismatic star players getting better and better – were absolutely trounced by the Knicks – a mediocre, patchwork bunch whose only draw is Jeremy Lin – in New York by a count of 9.6 for Knicks/Celtics on ABC to 1.9 for Bruins/Rangers on NBC. The only good news to take out of this: A 1.9 is a very solid number for New York as far as hockey goes. But, if you’re a New York fan with allegiances to both teams, you should be more than a little ashamed of yourself for rewarding mediocrity.

In Boston, things were a bit better. Beantown led all markets for the Game of the Week with a 5.1/12, an above average number for NBC in the market, and an improvement from the 4.6 the Bruins road game against Minnesota drew on Hockey Day in America. While a solid hockey team was still getting beaten by an aging, mediocre hoops counterpart (6.4/15 for Knicks/Celtics in Boston) the numbers were a little more stout. Overall, hockey did fine without carrying two of it’s most important markets on Sunday.