The most compelling series of the NHL’s first round has been the most impressive draw on cable.
Wednesday’s Maple Leafs-Capitals Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 4 had 677,000 viewers on NBCSN, up 30% from Capitals-Flyers last year (521K) but down 1% from Rangers-Penguins in 2015 (684K). Ratings were not immediately available.
Each game of the Toronto-Washington series has increased over last year, and it now accounts for four of the six largest postseason audiences on cable this year. All that despite the fact that Canadian markets do not count toward U.S. television ratings.
Later in the night, Wild-Blues Game 4 had 630,000 viewers — up 88% form Stars-Wild last year (336K) and up 56% from Blues-Wild in ’15 (404K).
With viewership up big on NBCSN, USA posted declines for its doubleheader. Senators-Bruins Game 4 drew 417,000 viewers, down 15% from Panthers-Islanders last year (493K) and even down 8% from an all-Canadian Montreal-Ottawa matchup in 2015 (454K).
Ducks-Flames Game 4 brought up the rear with just 297,000 viewers, down 5% from Kings-Sharks last year (313K) and down 32% from Ducks-Jets in ’15 (436K).
(Wed. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 4.20)
