The NHL did not earn blockbuster numbers for NBC last weekend.
Game 3 of the Rangers/Devils NHL Eastern Conference Final drew a 1.0 final rating and 1.499 million viewers on NBC last Saturday afternoon, up 25% in ratings and 7% in viewership from Bruins/Lightning Game 3 on a Thursday night last year (0.8, 1.405M, VERSUS), but down 17% and 22%, respectively, from last year’s comparable NBC telecast — Game 4 of the Bruins/Lightning series (1.2, 1.913M).
For some perspective, Game 4 of the Rangers/Capitals second round series on NBC earned a 1.2 final rating in a similar timeslot.
On Sunday, Game 4 of the Coyotes/Kings series drew a mere 0.9 and 1.380 million viewers — down a tick in ratings and 5% in viewership from Canucks/Sharks Game 4 last year (1.0, 1.455M), and down 40% and 45%, respectively, from Sharks/Blackhawks Game 4 in 2010 (1.5, 2.503M).
(Last weekend’s numbers from Sports Business Daily)
