The NHL postseason has gotten off to a hot start on NBC’s cable networks.
Through five nights (14 games), NBCSN and CNBC have averaged 521,000 viewers for coverage of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs — up 63% from the comparable point last year (320K, 17 gms).
In particular, NBCSN has averaged 621,000 viewers for its ten games — up 61% from last year (386K). CNBC has chipped in 295,000 for its four games, up 25% (236K).
The increases are especially impressive considering that 1) all first round games on cable are blacked out during the opening round and 2) NBCSN and CNBC aired games concurrently on the first three nights, cannibalizing each other.
The top cablecast thus far was Blue Jackets/Penguins Game 2 on Saturday, which earned 850,000 viewers.
(Numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box)
