FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 1st, 2013

COMCAST SPORTSNET DELIVERS ITS HIGHEST CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS REGULAR SEASON GAME RATING TO DATE

NEW RECORD: Last Night’s Blackhawks-Blues battle attracts over 262,700 Households on Comcast SportsNet; Network #1 in Chicago market from 6:30 PM – 12:30 AM

RECORD STREAK: 16 of the Top 17 Highest-Rated Blackhawks regular season games in Network History have already occurred this season

Chicago, IL (March 1, 2013) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the NHL record-setting 17-0-3 Chicago Blackhawks, delivered its highest Blackhawks regular season rating ever last evening (February 28) — a 7.54 household rating for its live coverage of the Blackhawks road battle against the division rival St. Louis Blues.

For last night’s thrilling 3-0 shutout victory by the Blackhawks, which added to the team’s all-time NHL record for most consecutive games to open a season earning at least one point, Comcast SportsNet attracted approx. 262,754 households in the Chicago market for the entire game and posted a 9.35 “peak” rating during the 9:15 PM quarter-hour (approx. 326,000 households tuning in).  The 7.54 single game regular season ratings record on Comcast SportsNet shatters the previous record set last week on February 19 for the Blackhawks home game vs. Vancouver (7.41).  In addition, the network posted its all-high regular season high for Blackhawks Post Game Live presented by Hawk Ford (9:30-10:00 PM) with a 5.10 household rating.  Source for all ratings information is provided by Nielsen Media Research overnights.

Comcast SportsNet was also the #1-highest rated television network in the Chicago market last night in overall households for the during the expanded primetime period of 6:30-10:30 PM.  The network was also #1 in the market for six-straight hours (6:30 PM – 12:30 AM) in a number of key advertising demos, including Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54.

Including last night’s record-breaking rating on Comcast SportsNet, 16 of the Top 17 highest-rated regular season Blackhawks games in Chicago regional sports network history have already occurred this season.  The current Top 10 all-time, highest-rated Blackhawks regular season games are as follows:

1)    7.54 –      Blackhawks at STL (February 28, 2013)

2)    7.41 –        Blackhawks vs. VAN (February 19, 2013)

3)    6.60 –        Blackhawks vs. EDM (February 25, 2013)

4)    6.59 –        Blackhawks vs. SJ (February 22, 2013)

5)    6.31 –        Blackhawks vs. DET (January 27, 2013)

6)    5.90 –        Blackhawks vs. CBJ (February 24, 2013)

7)    5.70 –        Blackhawks at PHX (February 7, 2013)

8)    5.58 –        Blackhawks vs. ANA (February 12, 2013)

T9) 5.40 –       Blackhawks at NSH (February 10, 2013)

T9) 5.40 –       Blackhawks vs. STL (January 22, 2013)

 

 So far this season through 17 games, the Blackhawks on Comcast SportsNet are currently averaging a 5.18 household rating, an increase of 91% compared to last season through 17 telecasts.  In addition, note the following demo increases in the following categories: Adults 18-49 (up 101%), Adults 25-54 (up 77%), Men 18-49 (up 108%) and Men 25-54 (up 86%).

Comcast SportsNet’s next Blackhawks telecast airs TONIGHT (Friday, March 1) as the Blackhawks seek to extend the all-time NHL record for best start to a season as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets (live coverage from the United Center gets underway with Chevy Blackhawks Pre-Game Live at 7:00 PM; face-off set for 7:30 PM).  Viewers can also visit CSNChicago.com 24/7 for the very latest Blackhawks news, highlights, game previews/recaps & blogs from Blackhawks “Insider” Tracey Myers, along with exclusive videos and much more.

  NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 13 local networks that deliver more than 2,400 sporting events annually, along with breaking news and comprehensive analysis, to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes.  The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY.  NBC Sports Regional Networks also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming.  For more information, visit CSNChicago.com or ComcastSportNet.com.  For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.