NBC enters its coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the heels of flat ratings during the regular season.
Ten NHL telecasts averaged a 1.0 rating on NBC during the 2008-09 season, even with last year’s mark. Ratings had been up 10% entering last Sunday, but the 0.5/1 final rating for Red Wings/Blackhawks — the lowest rating ever for an NHL game on broadcast — dragged the average back down to last year’s levels.
The Winter Classic on January 1 drew the highest rating of the season, with a 2.5. Excluding that game, NBC averaged a 0.8 rating for NHL telecasts.
Other than the Winter Classic, only one NHL game on NBC drew at least 1% of U.S. television households — Rangers/Penguins in January, which drew a 1.0.
Ratings for the NHL on NBC during the 2008-09 season.
–: indicates there is no comparison available
| Date | Time | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., 1/1/09 | 1:00 PM | Red Wings/Blackhawks | NBC |
2.5/5
|
14%
|
| Sun., 1/18/09 | 12:30 PM | Rangers/Penguins | NBC |
1.0/2
|
25%
|
| Sun., 2/8/09 | 12:30 PM | Red Wings/Penguins | NBC |
0.9/2
|
13%
|
| Sun., 2/15/09 | 12:30 PM | Flyers/Rangers | NBC |
0.7/2
|
0%
|
| Sun., 2/22/09 | 12:30 PM | Penguins/Capitals | NBC |
0.9/2
|
—
|
| Sun., 3/8/09 | 12:30 PM | Bruins/Rangers | NBC |
0.8/2
|
0%
|
| Sun., 3/15/09 | 12:30 PM | Flyers/Rangers | NBC |
0.8/2
|
—
|
| Sun., 3/22/09 | 12:30 PM | Flyers/Penguins | NBC |
0.8/2
|
—
|
| Sun., 4/5/09 | 12:30 PM | Wild/Red Wings | NBC |
0.7/2
|
17%
|
| Sun., 4/12/09 | 2:00 PM | Red Wings/Blackhawks | NBC |
0.5/1
|
—
|
|
Average rating
|
1.0
|
0%
|
|||
