NBC had mixed results for the start of the NHL Conference Finals over the weekend.
Game 1 of the Kings/Blackhawks NHL Western Conference final earned a 1.9 overnight rating on NBC Sunday afternoon, the network’s second-highest overnight of the playoffs. Only Blues/Blackhawks Game 6 in the first round earned a better number (2.3).
NBC aired two conference final games last year, both in primetime. Bruins/Penguins Game 1 had a 2.5 overnight and Kings/Blackhawks Game 5 had a 2.9. The last time NBC aired a conference final game on a Sunday afternoon — Coyotes/Kings Game 4 in 2012 — it earned a mere 1.1 overnight.
Rangers/Canadiens Game 1 the previous day drew a 1.2 overnight, NBC’s lowest of the playoffs (10 telecasts). The network’s last conference final game on a Saturday afternoon — Rangers/Devils Game 3 in 2012 — drew a 1.3.
(Weekend overnights from Sports Business Daily)
