Stanley Cup Final ratings hit a three-year high despite a short series.
The Capitals-Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final averaged a 2.7 rating and 4.80 million viewers on NBC and NBCSN, flat in ratings and up 3% in viewership from Penguins-Predators last year (2.7, 4.68M) and up 17% and 22% respectively from Penguins-Sharks in 2016 (2.3, 3.95M). Both of those series lasted six games.
Washington’s five-game win averaged 117,000 viewers on NBC Sports’ digital platforms (+41%). Combined across TV and streaming, the series averaged 4.92 million viewers (+3%).
With or without streaming included, this year’s Cup Final was the most-watched in three years (2015 Blackhawks-Lightning: 5.55M). It surpassed last year as the most-watched series on record that did not involve an “Original Six” team (Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, Toronto and the Rangers).
Overall, it ranks seventh out of the last 17 Cup Finals (average viewership prior to 2001 was not available).
Compared to the last Cup Final to last just five games, Kings-Rangers in 2014, ratings fell 10% (from 3.0) and viewership 4% (from 5.0M). That series featured the nation’s top two television markets.
Las Vegas led all markets for the full series with a 23.0 average rating. Washington D.C. ranked second with an 18.5. Capitals secondary market Baltimore was third at a 9.9.
Buffalo was the top neutral market with an 8.7 average, off 2% from last year (8.9). Pittsburgh rounded out the top five with an 8.1.
The complete Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged a 0.8 rating on television and 1.45 million viewers across TV and streaming, the latter up 4% from last year (1.39M). This year’s postseason trails only 2013 (1.47M) as the most-watched since 1997, tying 2014 and 2015.
Las Vegas and Pittsburgh led all markets for NBC’s postseason coverage, averaging a 4.5. Keep in mind those averages exclude lower rated first round games on NBCSN, which were blacked out in both markets.
Buffalo, which had no playoff team, ranked third with a 3.3 average. Washington D.C. (3.2) and Nashville (2.6) rounded out the top five.
Most-Watched Stanley Cup Finals
Dating back to 2001
