The Premier Boxing Champions had an increase on Spike TV but hit a low on NBC. In other news, local MLB action topped NHL Game 7s in several markets, and ESPN continues to see gains for Sunday Night Baseball.
PBC Up on Spike, Hits Low on NBC
- Friday’s edition of the Premier Boxing Champions series earned 772,000 viewers on Spike TV, up 36% from the network’s previous telecast in April (569K) but down 11% from its inaugural telecast in March (869K). Six days earlier, PBC coverage on NBC earned 1.0 million viewers — the smallest audience yet for the PBC on broadcast television. (via ShowBuzz Daily, NBC Sports)
Local MLB Tops NHL Game 7s in Several Markets
- Local Major League Baseball coverage outdrew Game 7 of the NHL conference finals in 18 markets Friday and 12 on Saturday, with the caveat that not all of the competition was head-to-head. MLB topped Lightning/Rangers in eight NHL markets Friday, including St. Louis (12.8 to 2.0), Pittsburgh (6.3 to 2.9), Detroit (5.3 to 1.7), Minnesota (4.7 to 3.3) and Washington, D.C. (4.0 to 2.1). It topped Blackhawks/Ducks in six NHL markets on Saturday, including Pittsburgh (7.2 to 2.8), Detroit (4.0 to 2.5), Washington, D.C. (2.4 to 1.6) and Philadelphia (3.2 to 2.8). (Nielsen)
More Gains For Sunday Night Baseball
- The Tigers/Angels Sunday Night Baseball game drew nearly 2.0 million viewers on ESPN, up 35% from Cardinals/Reds last year (1.5M) and up 62% from Braves/Mets in 2013 (1.2M). Viewership has increased by more than a third for five of the first nine Sunday night telecasts this season. The following night, Brewers/Cardinals drew 859,000 on Monday Night Baseball; there was no comparable Monday night game last year due to the NBA Conference Finals. (via ShowBuzz Daily [1], [2]
