FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 14th, 2012

NHL STANLEY CUP CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS ARE MOST-WATCHED ON RECORD

Conference Semifinal Games Across NBC, NBC Sports Network & CNBC Average 1.32 Million Viewers Up 28% vs. Last Year Viewership Up 43% for Conference Semifinals on NBC Sports Network vs. Last Year Rangers-Capitals Game 7 Is Second Most-Watched NHL Conference Semifinal of 2012 NHL Playoffs on Cable Total Audience Up 23% for Stanley Cup Playoffs vs. Last Year

NEW YORK – May 14, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the first two rounds of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have averaged 1.06 viewers, making the Conference Quarterfinals and Conference Semifinals the most-watched first two rounds on record (sine 1994, when cable program data started). On NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC, the 2012 Conference Semifinals averaged 1.32 million viewers, making them the most-watched Conference Semifinals on record. More than 39 million total viewers have watched the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC, up 23% vs. last year (32.2).

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

According to Fast National data released by The Nielsen Company, the 2012 Conference Semifinals:

• Averaged 1.29 million viewers on the NBC Sports Network, up 43% percent vs. last

year and best on record for a single cable network.   

• Averaged 1.32 million viewers across NBC, the NBC Sports Network & CNBC, up 28% vs.

last year and best on record.

 

RANGERS – CAPITALS GAME 7

Saturday night’s Game 7 between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals was watched by 1.68 million viewers on the NBC Sports Network, making it the second most-watched 2012 Conference Semifinal game on cable. Game 3 of the series was watched by 1.85 million viewers and was the most watched Conference Semifinal game of 2012.

•    In New York, Rangers-Capitals Game 7 received a 4.8 HH rating, the highest local rating

ever in the market for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network. The telecast was up 24%

from the series average on the network. And up 129 % vs. 2008.

 

•    In Washington, Rangers-Capitals Game 7 received a 7.7 HH rating, the second highest local

rating ever in the market for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network. The telecast was up

14% from the series average on the network. And up 18% vs. 2011.

KINGS-COYOTES GAME 1

Last night’s Western Conference Final Game 1 between the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes delivered record ratings for both local markets. The NBC Sports Network was the highest rated cable network in both local markets during the telecast of the game.

• In Los Angeles, Game 1 received a 2.14 HH rating, the highest local rating ever in the market

for a NHL game on the NBC Sports Network.

 

• In Phoenix, Game 1 received a 5.56 HH rating, the highest local rating ever in the market for a

NHL game on the NBC Sports Network.

 

Final national ratings will be available shortly