April 20, 2012
by Stephen M. Lepore
We continue to receive ratings out of order, but NBC Sports Network continues to have good news on top of good news on top of good news during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as Saturday night saw a solid number for the early game, but the late game beat it for the first time this post-season.
The early game, a surprise overtime game between the Rangers and Senators, drew708,000 viewers, up 7% from last year’s comparable game (MTL/BOS, Game 2: 661,000). It’s one of only two games of the series currently scheduled for NBCSN, the other being Game 5 on Saturday night.
The follow-up game, Chicago/Phoenix Game 2 – which was exclusive in Phoenix – was the first late game to draw better numbers than the early game since last year’s Game 7 doubleheader, when Chicago/Vancouver beat Buffalo/Philadelphia. Game 2 between the Yotes and Hawks – also an overtime game – drew 725,000 viewers. It was helped out by being an NBC exclusive in the Phoenix market. It is up 42% from last year’s comparable game (LA/SJ Game 2: 457,000).
Top 10 Most-Watched Games of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Cable
1. Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Game 4 (4/18/12, NBCSN): 1.03 million
2. Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh, Game 1 (4/11/12, NBCSN): 847,000
3. Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh, Game 2 (4/13/12, NBCSN): 795,000
4. New Jersey vs. Florida, Game 2 (4/15/12, NBCSN): 768,000
5. Vancouver vs. Los Angeles, Game 3 (4/15/12, NBCSN): 749,000
6. Vancouver vs. Los Angeles, Game 4 (4/18/12, NBCSN): 748,000
7. Chicago vs. Phoenix, Game 2 (4/14/12, NBCSN): 725,000
8. Ottawa vs. NY Rangers, Game 2 (4/14/12, NBCSN): 708,000
9. Nashville vs. Detroit, Game 4 (4/17/12, NBCSN): 628,000
10. Los Angeles vs. Vancouver, Game 2 (4/13/12, NBCSN): 622,000
(Source: @SonoftheBronx)
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