NBC drew mixed ratings for its coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last weekend.
Game 2 between the Rangers and Capitals drew a mere 0.7/2 final rating on NBC last Saturday, down 13% from a decidedly less attractive Predators/Red Wings game last year. The 0.7 rating is the lowest for a Stanley Cup Playoff game on broadcast since a second round Red Wings/Avalanche game drew the same rating last year.
To put the 0.7 in perspective, an American Le Mans Series race the next day drew a 0.8/2 on ABC.
On a much more positive note, Game 3 between the Penguins and Flyers drew a solid 1.3/3 final rating on Sunday, up a whopping 63% from a 0.8 for Flyers/Capitals last year. The 1.3 rating is the best for a first round Stanley Cup Playoff game on broadcast since Oilers/Red Wings drew a 1.4 in ’06. Penguins/Flyers built on its Champions Tour lead-in by 30%.
Overall, NBC averaged a 1.0 for its two Stanley Cup Playoff games last weekend, up 25% from a 0.8 for two comparable games in ’08.
