A triple-overtime game featuring the nation’s top television market scored strong numbers for NBC Sports Network Wednesday.
Game 3 of the Rangers/Capitals second round Stanley Cup playoff series drew 1.853 million viewers on NBC Sports Network Wednesday night, up 50% from Flyers/Bruins Game 3 on the comparable night last year (1.234M).
The Rangers’ overtime victory ranks as the most-viewed second round Stanley Cup playoff game ever on NBC Sports Network (previously Versus and OLN), and the most-viewed second round game on cable since an Avalanche/Red Wings game on ESPN in 2000 (1.926M).
The previous record for a second round game on NBCSN/Versus/OLN was 1.772 million viewers for Red Wings/Sharks Game 2 in 2010.
Wednesday’s game actually outdrew Game 2 of the Jazz/Spurs first round NBA playoff series on TNT (1.811M). However, the game finished well behind Clippers/Grizzlies Game 2 later in the night (3.137M).
(Wednesday’s numbers from TV By the Numbers via Puck the Media; additional information from Sports Business Daily 5/7/10)
