NASCAR’s Xfinity Series had a rare increase in viewership, but still tied a season-low. In other news, the NHL’s Hockeyville USA game was unsurprisingly below last year’s regular season levels, and Golf Channel had its most-watched third quarter since becoming Nielsen rated.
Rare Bump For NASCAR Xfinity Series
- NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Kentucky drew 933,000 viewers on NBCSN Saturday night, up 32% from last year (708K) and up 12% from 2013 (837K), both of which aired on ESPNEWS. Despite the rare increase, the race tied the smallest Xfinity Series audience of the season (27 telecasts) — matching Richmond two weeks earlier. (via ShowBuzz Daily)
Under 250K For Hockeyville USA
- Tuesday’s Penguins/Lightning NHL preseason game, the centerpiece of the league’s Hockeyville USA program, drew 239,000 viewers on NBCSN. By comparison, the network’s regular season games last year averaged 349,000. A broadcast of the movie Slapshot, which was filmed in the same arena in which the game took place, drew 91,000 viewers immediately afterward. (via Sports TV Ratings)
Golf Channel Has Top Third Quarter
- Golf Channel averaged 114,000 total day viewers during the third quarter of the year, up 8% from last year (106K), up 2% from 2013 (112K) and the network’s most-watched third quarter since becoming Nielsen rated in 2006. Viewership has increased 54% from third quarter 2010, the year before Golf Channel became part of NBC Sports Group (74K). (NBC Sports)
