NBC Sports Network viewership grew 14% year over year in 2013, driven by seven of the 10 most watched NHL games in network history, according to The Nielsen Company. Overall, NHL programming, including the newly-created Wednesday Night Rivalry games, was up 58% over first quarter 2012, and off to the best start in network history. Other highlights include increased viewership of The Dan Patrick Show (up 58%) and the opening IndyCar telecast rose 78%. Viewership of MLS games are up eight percent over 2012.
The Nielsen data also revealed that in the Adult 18-49 demo, viewership is up 12% for primetime and 10% for total day for all programming. The NBC Sports Network audience also got younger with the median age of 44 in first quarter of 2013 in primetime, down from 47 for first quarter in 2012.