FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 7th, 2013
BLACKHAWKS STREAK DRIVES RECORD RATINGS FOR NBC SPORTS GROUP
Sunday’s Blackhawks-Red Wings Draws 1.9 Million Viewers, Best-Ever for Single Regular-Season Game on NBC
Wednesday Night’s Blackhawks-Avalanche Draws 720,000 Viewers, Ninth Best Regular-Season Game in NBC Sports Network History
Highest Local Ratings Ever in Chicago For NHL Regular-Season Games on NBC & NBC Sports Network
Comcast SportsNet Chicago Sets Record Ratings For Blackhawks Coverage
NEW YORK– March 7, 2013 – The Chicago Blackhawks (21-0-3) have started the season with a historic season-opening 24-game point streak, the best ever in the NHL, resulting in record ratings across NBC, NBC Sports Network and Comcast SportsNet Chicago, an NBC Sports Regional Network.
NBC Sports Network’s Wednesday Night Rivalry telecast featuring the Blackhawks against the Colorado Avalanche, and Sunday afternoon’s Blackhawks-Detroit Red Wings broadcast on NBC, resulted in record-setting regular-season viewership.
In addition, the Blackhawks have spurred record ratings in the Chicago market for NHL regular-season games on NBC, NBC Sports Network and Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
BLACKHAWKS-RED WINGS, SUNDAY, MARCH 3, NBC
NBC’s coverage of the Blackhawks dramatic 2-1 shootout victory against the Red Wings on Sunday, drew 1.9 million viewers, the best-ever for a single regular-season game on NBC (excluding Winter Classics) and up 58% vs. last year’s same-weekend coverage (1.2 million viewers, Boston-NYR).
As previously reported, the Chicago market delivered a 9.7 rating, the market’s best-ever for a NHL regular-season game on NBC, with the exception of the 2009 Winter Classic, which was played at Wrigley Field and received an 11.8 local rating in the market.
BLACKHAWKS-AVALANCHE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, NBC SPORTS NETWORK
NBC Sports Network’s coverage of the Blackhawks compelling 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche last night drew 720,000 average viewers, (up 57% vs. the 2012 exclusive time period average), and ranked as the ninth most-watched regular-season game in the network’s history. Additionally, six of the Top 10 most-watched regular-season games in NBC Sports Network history have aired this season.
In Chicago, the telecast received a 7.0 local rating, the market’s highest ever for an NHL regular- season game on NBC Sports Network. Additionally, NBC Sports Network was the No. 1 rated cable network in Chicago during the Blackhawks-Avalanche telecast.
COMCAST SPORTSNET CHICAGO
The Top 10, and 18 of the Top 19, highest-rated regular-season Blackhawks games in Comcast SportsNet Chicago history have taken place this season. Tuesday night’s Blackhawks game against the Minnesota Wild received 7.9 local HH rating and is the network’s highest-rated Blackhawks game ever.
For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com (http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com)
