Viewership for the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been on a record pace entering the conference finals.
The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 1.06 million viewers across NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC through the first two rounds, the highest average on record (dates back to 1994).
In particular, second round action averaged 1.32 million viewers across the three networks, up 28% from last year and the best on record. NBC Sports Network alone averaged 1.29 million, up 43% from last year, and the best on record for a single network.
One major reason for the record numbers, at least in the second round, is that every game aired exclusively. In previous years, second round games were frequently blacked out in the home markets.
The final game of the second round, Saturday’s Game 7 of the Capitals/Rangers series, drew 1.68 million viewers — the fourth-largest audience for a second round game on NBC Sports Network (previously Versus and OLN) since the network began airing games in the 2005-06 season. Three of the five most-viewed second round games took place this season.
Locally, Saturday’s game was the highest rated NHL telecast ever on NBCSN in the New York (4.8) and Washington, D.C. (7.67) markets.
Most-Viewed Second Round Stanley Cup Playoff Games on NBCSN
Since the network began airing games in the 2005-06 season
| # | Date | Away | Home |
#
|
Net |
Viewers (000)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wed., 5/2/12 | Rangers | Capitals |
3
|
NBCSN |
1,853
|
|
2
|
Sun., 5/2/10 | Sharks | Red Wings |
2
|
Versus |
1,772
|
|
3
|
Mon., 5/2/11 | Bruins | Flyers |
2
|
Versus |
1,699
|
| 4 | Sat., 5/12/12 | Capitals | Rangers |
7
|
NBCSN |
1,680
|
|
5
|
Thu., 5/3/12 | Flyers | Devils |
3
|
NBCSN |
1,659
|
(This year’s averages from NHL)
