Stanley Cup Lifts NBCSN to No. 1 Primetime Cable Network

The 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs are the most-watched on cable in 17 years, and the Stanley Cup Final is the second-most watched through four games in 12 years. (Photo: AP Images)

Following a Game 4 that averaged 3.383 million viewers on NBCSN, the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs are now the most-watched on cable in 17 years and the 2014 Stanley Cup Final is the second-most watched in 12 years through the first four games.

Game 4, in which the New York Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 to win their first game of the series, was the final playoff game on cable this season. NBC will broadcast all remaining games.

For the 77 playoff games telecast on NBCSN/CNBC, the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 1.098 million viewers (and a 0.66 HH rating), ranking as the most-watched NHL playoffs on cable since 1997 (1.211 million viewers on ESPN/ESPN2). This year’s average viewership is up 10% from the 2013 cable average of 1.000 million viewers (0.60 HH rating).

Through four games, the 2014 Stanley Cup Final has averaged 4.652 million viewers on NBC/NBCSN, ranking as the second-most watched Stanley Cup Final through four games in 12 years (since 2002, 4.726 million). This year’s series, which the Kings lead 3-1, trails only last year’s Final after four games (2013, 5.341 million). The four games this year have averaged a 2.8 HH rating.

Game 4 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final (8:09-11:03 p.m. ET) on NBCSN delivered 3.383 million viewers and a 2.0 HH rating, making NBCSN the No. 1 cable network in primetime (8-11 p.m. ET) among average viewers and A18-49 (1.3 rating). There is no cable comparison to last year as Game 4 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final aired on NBC. Viewing for the game peaked at over 4.6 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET.

Locally, Los Angeles delivered a 7.3 rating, the market’s best ever on NBCSN for an NHL game, surpassing 2012 Stanley Cup Final Game 4 vs. the Devils (6.6). New York scored its second-best NHL rating ever on NBCSN with an 8.1 rating, trailing only Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal (8.5).