After a relatively hot start, the Stanley Cup Playoffs stumbled in the ratings on NBC last week.
Saturday’s Flyers/Bruins Game 1 drew a 1.1 final rating on NBC, down 8% from Penguins/Capitals Game 1 last year (1.2), up 57% from Avalanche/Red Wings Game 2 in ’08 (0.7) and up 38% from Sharks/Red Wings Game 2 in ’07 (0.8).
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Canadiens/Penguins Game 2 also drew a 1.1 rating, down 15% from Ducks/Red Wings Game 2 last year (1.3) and up 10% from both Rangers/Penguins in ’08 and Sabres/Rangers in ’07 (1.0).
Despite the declines for last weekend’s games, NBC is averaging a 1.1 rating and 1.7 million viewers for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, flat in ratings and up 4% in viewership from last year (1.1, 1.6 mil).
