BREAKING: NHL on NBC Does Pretty Solid Business This Weekend

April 19, 2010 by Stephen M. Lepore

NBC Sports told Puck the Media that the two broadcasts on NBC managed the same average rating this weekend, with one game up and one down, while overall both telecasts were respectable for NHL numbers.

The Saturday telecast of Boston/Buffalo drew a 1.2 overnight rating. This is up (if my math is correct) 20% from last year’s NY Rangers/Washington telecast, which drew a 1.0 rating. The game drew a 20.7 rating in the Buffalo market, in case you were wondering if that market wouldn’t be back in a big way. The game also did a 5.3 local rating in Boston.

The Sunday broadcast of Phoenix/Detroit drew a 1.5 overnight rating, the highest of any indoor NHL game this season. While this is down (again, fingers crossed with my math) 12% from last year’s Pittsburgh/Philadelphia telecast, which drew a 1.7 rating. The game drew a 13.4 in Detroit, and a 5.3 in Phoenix. That’s right, kids, Phoenix and Boston drew the same local rating for hockey this weekend.

Still, the fact that a game featuring the Phoenix Coyotes drew the NHL’s highest non-Winter Classic rating this season is very impressive. Thanks to NBC Sports for the numbers.