Versus is not the only network seeing increases for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NBC averaged a 1.1 rating and 1.7 million viewers for coverage of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 10% and 18%, respectively, from last year (1.0, 1.5 mil).
This marks the highest rated, most-viewed first round on broadcast television since ’06.
Saturday’s Predators/Blackhawks Game 5 drew a 1.0 final rating on NBC, even with Penguins/Flyers Game 6 last year (1.0) and up 11% from Flyers/Capitals Game 5 two years ago (0.9).
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Coyotes/Red Wings Game 6 drew a 1.1, up 57% from Rangers/Capitals Game 6 last year (0.7) and up 10% from Red Wings/Predators Game 6 in ’08.
Overall, NBC and Versus averaged 742,000 viewers for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 24% from last year and the highest average for the first round since 2000 (750,000 on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2).
(Sports Business Daily, NHL)
