Swapping the least-viewed night of the week (Saturday) for the most-viewed night (Sunday) resulted in a huge increase in overnight ratings for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Blackhawks’ win drew a 4.0 overnight on NBC, up 54% from Penguins/Red Wings Game 5 on a Saturday night last year (2.6), down 7% from Penguins/Red Wings Game 5 on a Monday night in ’08, which went triple-overtime (4.3), and up 60% from Ducks/Senators Game 5 on a Wednesday night in ’07 (2.5).
This marks the second-highest overnight for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final since the series clinching Red Wings/Hurricanes Game 5 in ’02 (4.5).
Excluding last year’s Penguins/Red Wings Game 7 (overnights for that game were not immediately available), this marks the sixth time that NBC has drawn at least a 4.0 overnight for an NHL telecast.
Sunday’s game drew a 26.0 rating in the Chicago market — the highest rating of the series in the market, and more than double the local rating Celtics/Lakers Game 2 (7.3). In Philadelphia, the game drew a 19.7.
Nationally, Flyers/Blackhawks finished well behind Celtics/Lakers Game 2 on ABC, which drew a 10.9 overnight.
Ratings for Blackhawks/Flyers Game 4 on Versus Friday night were not immediately available.
