NBC earned one of the strongest overnight ratings for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in years over the weekend.
Game 6 of the Blues/Blackhawks first round Stanley Cup playoff series earned a 2.3 overnight rating on NBC Sunday afternoon, down 8% from Bruins/Capitals on the comparable weekend in 2012 (2.5). NBC did not air any games on the second weekend of last year’s postseason.
The 2.3 overnight is tied as the third-highest for a first round NHL playoff game on NBC since the network resumed airing games in 2006, trailing only Bruins/Capitals Game 6 in 2012 and Penguins/Flyers Game 6 the same year (2.4). Overall, the 2.3 is tied as the fifth-highest for a Stanley Cup playoff game on NBC excluding the Stanley Cup Final.
In other NHL action on NBC, Game 5 between the Rangers and Flyers drew a 1.6 overnight in the early Sunday window — down a third from the previously mentioned Penguins/Flyers game in ’12. Red Wings/Bruins Game 5 on Saturday earned a 1.7, up 13% from Capitals/Bruins in 2012 (1.5).
Locally, Blues/Blackhawks earned a 17.2 rating in Chicago, the market’s highest ever for a first round game on NBC. By comparison, the Bulls’ playoff game against the Wizards earned a 9.0 in the market on ABC the same day. The game also drew a 12.7 in St. Louis, the best for any NHL game on NBC in the market.
Rangers/Flyers earned a 7.2 in Philadelphia and a 3.7 in New York. Local numbers were not available for Red Wings/Bruins on Saturday.
(This year’s overnights from NBC Sports Group Press Box, ShowBuzz Daily)
