NBC's Stanley Cup Conference Finals Hit 17-Year High

The 2013 Stanley Cup Conference Finals, which recently concluded and aired across NBC and NBC Sports Network, are the most-watched Conference Finals in 17 years and up 111% from last year, according to data provided by The Nielsen Company. The round was highlighted by its last two games, which scored viewership records for both NBC and NBC Sports Network.

In addition, the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs so far this post-season, consisting of the Conference Quarterfinals, Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, are the second-most watched in 16 years.

CONFERENCE FINALS
Despite having two short series (Eastern Conference Final - four games; Western Conference Final - five games), the Stanley Cup Conference Finals averaged 2.646 million viewers across NBC (two games) and NBC Sports Network (seven games). It is the most-watched Conference Finals in 17 years, since 13 games aired across FOX and ESPN (2.863 million viewers), and up 111% from last year (1.254 million).

NBC's two games -- which both aired in Primetime for the first time -- averaged 3.631 million viewers, making it the most-watched Conference Finals on broadcast television ever (data is available since 1993).

With 2.303 million average viewers, the seven Conference Final games on NBC Sports Network were up 90% from last year (1.215 million), rank as the best ever on NBC Sports Network, and the best on cable since 1996 (ESPN, 2.938 million).

Saturday, June 8 -- Western Conference Final, Game 5, Blackhawks defeat Kings, 4-3, 2OT
With 3.813 million viewers, Game 5 of the Western Conference Final (8P-12:15A) was NBC's most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final playoff game ever (since 2006), and the most-watched Conference Final game in 16 years (Colorado-Detroit, 5/26/97, ESPN, 3.907 million). The game recorded a 2.2 national household rating and peaked with 5.57 million viewers from 11:45p.m.-midnight ET.

The game, which saw the Blackhawks win the series with a 4-3 double-overtime victory over the Kings, was up 177% vs. last year's Western Conference Final Game 4 (Pho-LA, 1.377 million). NBC was the top-ranked broadcast network in Primetime (8-11 p.m.) among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 on Saturday night.

Friday, June 7 -- Eastern Conference Final, Game 4, Bruins defeat Penguins, 1-0
With 2.9 million viewers, Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final (8-10:44P) was NBC Sports Network's most-watched Conference Final game ever, and the most-watched Conference Final game on cable since 2002 (Detroit-Colorado, 5/31/02, ESPN, 3.036 million). The game delivered a 1.61 national household rating and peaked with 3.827 million viewers from 10:15-10:30 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports Network was the most-watched cable network during the game among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 on Friday night. The game was up 83% vs. last year's Eastern Conference Final Game 4 (NYR-NJ, 1.259 million).

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, games airing on NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC are averaging 1.074 million viewers, making the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs the second-most watched in 16 years (1997, FOX & ESPN, 1.237 million), behind only last year (NBC, NBC Sports Network & CNBC, 1.089 million).

NBC is averaging 2.422 million viewers per broadcast through the first three rounds, up 12% vs. last year (2.166 million), while NBC Sports Network is averaging 1.089 million, up 10 percent vs. 2012 (994,000).

On cable, NBC Sports Network and CNBC combined to average 903,000 viewers for the first three rounds, up four percent vs. last year (868,000) and the most-watched on cable since 2000 (931,000).

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