The Stanley Cup Final was a solid draw again in Game 2.
Wednesday’s Predators-Penguins Stanley Cup Final Game 2 had a 1.8 final rating and 3.2 million viewers on NBCSN, up 29% in ratings and 27% in viewership from Sharks-Penguins last year (1.4, 2.5M) but down 54% and 51% respectively from Blackhawks-Lightning in 2015, which aired on NBC after The Belmont Stakes (3.9, 6.5M).
Pittsburgh’s win was the second-most watched Game 2 on cable since 2002 (eight telecasts), trailing only Bruins-Blackhawks in 2013 (4.0M). Viewership peaked with 3.8 million viewers from 9:45-10 PM ET, more than an hour before the 11:13 PM conclusion. The score was tied entering the third period but it quickly become a blowout thereafter.
Figures do not include the 98,000 who streamed coverage on NBC Sports digital platforms, a record for the NHL. With those numbers included, Game 2 had an audience of 3.3 million — still up 27% from last year (2.6M).
Game 2 had a 1.2 rating in adults 18-49, up 20% from last year (1.0) but down 37% from 2015 (1.9). It had a 1.0 in adults 18-34 (+25%). It topped the night on cable in both demos; figures for broadcast network shows were not immediately available.
[Wed. numbers via NBC Sports Group Press Box 6.1; ShowBuzz Daily 6.1]
