Swapping the Red Wings for the Sharks led to a double-digit drop in overnight ratings for the NHL Western Conference Final.
Sunday’s Blackhawks/Sharks Game 1 drew a 1.7 overnight rating on NBC, down 15% from Blackhawks/Red Wings Game 1 last year (2.0), even with Flyers/Penguins Game 5 in ’08, and up 6% from Ducks/Red Wings Game 5 in ’07 (1.6).
The 1.7 overnight is the highest of the postseason on NBC.
Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s telecast outdrew third and final round coverage of the Valero Texas Open on CBS (1.5).
In Chicago, Game 1 drew an 11.2/27 rating, up 46% from last year (7.7/19). Ratings in the SJ/Oakland/SF market were not available.
