The 2009 Stanley Cup Finals got off to a fast start on NBC over the weekend.
Games 1 and 2 of the Penguins/Red Wings series averaged a 2.8 rating and 4.9 million viewers on NBC Saturday and Sunday night, up 17% from a 2.4 for the net’s first two Stanley Cup Final telecasts last year (Games 3 and 4). The 2.8 rating also marks a 115% rise from a 1.3 average for Games 1 and 2 of last year’s series, both of which aired on Versus.
In particular, Game 1 on Saturday night drew a 2.4/5 final rating and 4.4 million viewers, flat in ratings but up 10% in viewers from a 2.4 and 4.0 million for the net’s first Stanley Cup Final telecast last year (Game 3), and up 100% and 83%, respectively, from a 1.2 and 2.4 million for last year’s Game 1 on Versus.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Game 2 drew a 3.1/5 final rating and 5.4 million viewers, up 35% in ratings and viewers from a 2.3 and 4.0 million for NBC’s second Stanley Cup Final telecast last year (Game 4), and up 138% and 108%, respectively, from a 1.3 and 2.6 million for last year’s Game 2 on Versus.
The 2.8 average is the best for the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals since 1999, when FOX averaged a 3.4 for the first two games of the Sabres/Stars series. Keep in mind that the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals aired on cable from 2000-08.
The Stanley Cup Finals held up well against its broadcast network competition. NBC won both Saturday and Sunday night in the key adults 18-49 demo thanks to the Penguins/Red Wings series. Game 2 helped NBC to its first Sunday victory among adults 18-49 since Super Bowl Sunday, and Game 1 gave NBC its first Saturday victory in the demo since NFL Wild Card Saturday.
Sunday’s Game 2 finished in a tie for sixth-place among all prime time broadcast programs in the adults 18-49 demo last week.
