It was a good weekend for Stanley Cup playoff ratings on the NBC family of networks.
Through Sunday, the Stanley Cup Playoffs has averaged a 0.45 rating and 751,000 viewers across NBC TV and digital platforms — up 7% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (0.42, 724K) and the most-watched postseason through the first weekend since 2014 (833K). Streaming viewership in particular is up 47% to 22,000.
Sunday’s Penguins-Flyers first round Game 3 earned a 1.3 rating and 2.28 million viewers on NBC, up 44% in ratings and 48% in viewership from last year (Wild-Blues: 0.9, 1.5M) and flat and up 12% respectively from 2016 (Blues-Blackhawks: 1.3, 2.0M). It had 2.33 million with streaming included.
The Penguins’ win was the most-watched opening weekend playoff game since 2014.
The previous night, NBC drew a 1.1 and 1.8 million for Maple Leafs-Bruins — up 22% in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (Predators-Blackhawks: 0.9, 1.7M).
NBC also posted increases for a Saturday afternoon regional window featuring either Devils-Lightning or Avalanche-Predators. That telecast increased 43% in ratings (to 1.0) and 40% in viewership (to 1.6M). Adding in streaming and the reverse mirror audience on CNBC, it had 1.70 million (+51%).
Overall, NBC’s opening weekend coverage averaged a 1.1 rating and 1.9 million viewers (including streaming), up 33% in ratings and 30% in viewership from last year (0.85, 1.5M), and also the highest since 2014 (2.2M).
The upward trend was not limited to broadcast. NBCSN has averaged 649,000 for its games (including streaming), up 11% from last year (586K) and the highest since 2012 (662K).
Sunday’s Blue Jackets-Capitals Game 2 had a 0.46 rating and 765,000 viewers on NBCSN, up 35% in ratings and 29% in viewership from last year (Canadiens-Rangers: 0.34, 592K) and up 53% and 45% respectively from 2016 (Panthers-Islanders: 0.3, 529K).
Golden Knights-Kings Game 3 had a 0.37 (+9%) and 580,000 (+5%) later in the night. Over on CNBC, Jets-Wild had a 0.38 (+15%) and 609,000 (-1%).
Sharks-Ducks was the only dud of the weekend, pulling a 0.22 (-27%) and 388,000 (-22%) on NBCSN Saturday night.
