NBC entered the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs on the heels of a fairly underwhelming performance for its final regular season game.
The Bruins’ win over the Capitals drew a 0.7 final rating on NBC last Sunday. There was no game on the comparable date last year, though previous regular season finales drew ratings of 0.5 (Red Wings/Blackhawks, 2009), 0.6 (Blackhawks/Red Wings, 2008) and 0.9 (regional action, 2007 and 2006).
Entering the Bruins/Capitals game, NBC was averaging a 1.0 rating and 1.6 million viewers for NHL coverage, even in ratings and virtually even in viewership (1.625 mil to 1.616 mil) compared to last year.
Final regular season averages for NBC’s complete 10-game schedule were not immediately available.
While broadcast partner Versus had a 25% increase in viewership for its 12 games following the Olympic break (compared to the 40 games before the Olympics), NBC saw its NHL numbers decline post-Olympics.
Prior to the Olympics, four of the five NHL telecasts on NBC drew at least a 1.0 rating, including the Winter Classic (2.1). However, four of the five games after the Olympics drew ratings lower than a 0.9.
For the season, half of NBC’s NHL telecasts drew less than a 0.9 rating, including a season-low 0.5 for Rangers/Bruins on March 21.
