Overnight ratings increased slightly over the previous week for primetime NHL playoff coverage on NBC.
Game 6 of the Predators/Blackhawks Stanley Cup playoff series drew a 1.8 overnight rating on NBC Saturday night, up a tick from Penguins/Rangers Game 2 in the same window the previous week (1.7). There was no game in the comparable timeslot last year, as this is the first time in several decades that first round NHL playoff games have aired on primetime network television.
The 1.8 is the fifth-lowest overnight for a primetime NHL game on NBC (46 telecasts including the Stanley Cup Final). Three of the five lowest overnights have taken place this season — the two first round games and a regular season meeting between the Rangers and Flyers in February (1.0).
It should be noted that prior to this season, NBC’s only primetime games were late round playoff contests or special events like the Winter Classic and Stadium Series.
Despite the relatively low numbers, NBC tied its best primetime Saturday in the metered markets since March 14.
(Sat. numbers from NBC via The Futon Critic)
