Given the competition, NBC should be thrilled with its results for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Monday’s Capitals-Golden Knights NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 1 had a 2.9 rating and 5.2 million viewers on NBC, per Nielsen fast-nationals — up a tick in ratings and 7% in viewership from Predators-Penguins last year (2.8, 4.9M) and up 26% and 27% respectively from Sharks-Penguins in 2016 (2.3, 4.1M).
Vegas’ win, which peaked with 5.9 million viewers, had a streaming audience of 89,000 on NBC Sports’ digital platforms (+18%). Combined, the game had an audience of 5.28 million across TV and streaming — still up 7% from last year (4.93M) and up 28% from 2016 (4.13M).
In both ratings and viewership, Game 1 was the highest rated and most-watched Stanley Cup Final opener in three years (2015 Blackhawks-Lightning: 3.3, 5.5M).
Going back further, it was the third-most watched Game 1 since 1999 — trailing Blackhawks-Lightning in ’15 and Bruins-Blackhawks in 2013 (6.4M). Keep in mind it was only the eighth Game 1 over that span that did not air on a Saturday night or on cable.
The multi-year high came despite unusually tough NBA competition. Game 1 aired opposite the seventh game of the Warriors-Rockets Western Conference Finals, which had an 8.1 rating and 14.8 million viewers on TNT. It stands to reason that at least some potential Stanley Cup viewers opted for the NBA instead.
Game 1 had a 1.7 rating in adults 18-49 and a 1.4 in adults 18-34, even with last year in both demos. Compared to 2016, the last time Game 1 faced an NBA Game 7, 18-49 increased 21% (from 1.4) and 18-34 increased 27% (from 1.1).
Game 1 Stanley Cup Final Ratings, Viewership
Past decade
