The return of ‘Hockey Day in America’ produced mixed results on NBC.
Sunday’s Bruins/Blackhawks NHL regular season game, part of Hockey Day in America, earned a 1.3 overnight rating on NBC — even with Kings/Blackhawks in 2013 (1.3) and up 30% from Bruins/Wild in 2012 (1.0). There was no comparable game last year, when Hockey Day in America took place in March and featured only one game on NBC.
The 1.3 is the highest of the season for an indoor NHL telecast on NBC, topping the previous mark set a week earlier by Penguins/Blackhawks (1.2). Overall, it ranks as the highest overnight for an indoor regular season game on the network since January of last year — when another Bruins/Blackhawks matchup earned a 1.4.
NBC had less success earlier in the day. Capitals/Flyers drew a 0.8 overnight, down 20% from Flyers/Capitals last year (1.0) and down 39% from Penguins/Sabres in 2013 (1.3). The 0.8 is easily the lowest overnight for a Hockey Day in America telecast on NBC (nine telecasts dating back to 2011).
Over on NBCSN, the Stars/Wild nightcap had a mere 0.2 overnight. The Kings/Sharks outdoor game the previous night had a 0.4.
UPDATE 2/27: Post updated to include last year’s Hockey Day in America coverage, which aired in March and featured just one game on NBC.
(Wknd. overnights from NBC Sports, ShowBuzz Daily)
