After double-digit gains for Games 1 and 2, momentum slowed for the Stanley Cup Final in Game 3.
Saturday’s Penguins-Predators Stanley Cup Final Game 3 earned a 1.6 rating and 3.0 million viewers on NBCSN, per Nielsen fast-nationals — up a tick in ratings and 6% in viewership from Penguins-Sharks last year (1.5, 2.8M) but down 27% and 24% respectively from Lightning-Blackhawks in 2015 (2.2, 3.9M).
The Predators’ win posted the narrowest gains of the series. Games 1 and 2 increased double-digits.
Of the 15 Game 3 telecasts dating back to 2002, this year’s game ranks eighth in viewership — right in the middle of the pack — and tied for ninth in ratings.
Figures do not include the 80,000 who streamed coverage on NBC Sports digital platforms. With those viewers added to the mix, the total audience increased from 2.95 to 3.03 million.
The Stanley Cup Final has averaged 3.7 million viewers on NBC’s TV and digital platforms, up 18% from last year (3.1M). The full postseason has averaged 1.2 million (+9%).
[Numbers from NBC Sports, NBC Sports PR 6.5]
