Ratings are still up double-digits for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Versus.
Through Tuesday, Versus averaged a 0.5 U.S. rating and 810,000 viewers for coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 25% in ratings and 22% in viewership from last year (0.4, 666,000).
So far this postseason, the network has aired the most-viewed first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on cable since 2001 and the most-viewed second round since at least ’94.
Despite the strong start to the postseason, the numbers have declined during the Conference Finals.
On Tuesday, Canadiens/Flyers Game 2 drew 1.2 million viewers, down 29% from last year’s Hurricanes/Penguins Game 2, which aired on a Thursday (1.7 mil). In the nightcap, Blackhawks/Sharks Game 2 drew 1.5 million, down 15% from Red Wings/Blackhawks Game 2 in an earlier timeslot last year (1.7 mil).
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Canadiens/Flyers Game 1 drew 1.5 million viewers, down 11% from Hurricanes/Penguins Game 1 on a Monday last year (1.7 mil).
Though down from last year, the network’s two-night Conference Final average of just under 1.4 million viewers is still up 30% from 2008.
