The NHL returned to NBC with slightly smaller numbers than last year. In other news, the Spurs and Bulls generated the NBA’s largest audience of a busy week and CBS had a double-digit drop for a Big Ten clash.
Slight Decline For NHL on NBC
- Last Sunday’s Rangers/Penguins NHL regular season game earned a 0.9 final rating and 1.5 million viewers on NBC, down a tick in ratings and 5% in viewership from Bruins/Blackhawks last year (1.0, 1.6M) and down 18% and 17%, respectively, from Flyers/Sabres in 2013 (1.1, 1.8M). The 2013 game aired on the first weekend of the lockout-shortened season. (NBC Sports)
Spurs/Bulls Tops Busy NBA Week
- The Spurs/Bulls NBA regular season game drew 1.8 million viewers on TNT Thursday, the largest NBA audience on national TV this week (7 telecasts) but down 30% from Lakers/Heat last year (2.7M) and 25% from Knicks/Celtics in 2013 (2.5M). The Nets/Clippers nightcap drew 1.1 million (-25%). On Wednesday, ESPN drew 1.5 million for Thunder/Wizards and 1.6 million for Rockets/Warriors — down 18% and up 16%, respectively, compared to last year’s Thunder/Spurs (1.9M) and Pacers/Suns (1.4M) games. (via TV By the Numbers [1], [2])
Double-Digit Drop For MSU/Maryland on CBS
- CBS drew a 1.0 final rating and 1.5 million viewers for the Michigan State/Maryland college basketball game last Saturday, down 29% in ratings and 21% in viewership from Oklahoma State/Kansas last year (1.4, 1.9M). Ratings and viewership were not immediately available for the network’s other three games last weekend. (Nielsen)
