Despite the first decline of the series, Stanley Cup Final ratings continue to trend above previous years.
Monday’s Golden Knights-Capitals NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 4 earned a 3.0 rating and 5.1 million viewers on NBC, down 6% in ratings and 10% in viewership from Penguins-Predators last year (3.2, 5.7M) but up 20% in both measures from Penguins-Sharks in 2016 (2.5, 4.2M).
Washington’s lopsided win, which peaked with 5.4 million viewers from 9:30-9:45 PM ET, had a streaming audience of 100,000 (+20%). Combined across TV and streaming, Game 4 had 5.16 million viewers — down 10% from last year (5.74M) but up 20% from 2016 (4.29M).
Game 4 was the first of the series to decline from last year. The first three each hit three-year highs. Despite the drop, ratings and viewership were the third-highest for a Game 4 since 2002 (Red Wings-Hurricanes: 3.5, 5.1M), behind last year and 2013 (Blackhawks-Bruins: 3.8, 6.5M). Keep in mind it was only the ninth Game 4 on broadcast television over that span.
Monday’s game was the highest rated of the series, but not the most-watched. Game 1 had 5.2 million on Memorial Day.
Through four games, Capitals-Golden Knights is averaging 4.44 million viewers across NBC’s TV and digital platforms, up 5% from last year (4.23M) and up 30% from 2016 (3.41M).
In the key young adult demographics, Game 4 had a 1.6 rating in adults 18-49 (-20%) and a 1.3 in adults 18-34 (-28%). It was the second-highest rated Game 4 in adults 18-49 since 2013 (2.4).
Game 4 Stanley Cup Final Ratings, Viewership
Past decade
