[h=1]NHL TV ratings 2013: NBC scores best hockey ratings since 2002, local numbers huge[/h]
NBC drew a massive (for hockey) 2.0 overnight rating for regional coverage of the Penguins and Flyers as well as the Kings and Blackhawks, which included the Kings' banner-raising ceremony. This was the best overnight rating for a regular season NHL telecast (not counting the Winter Classic) since Jan. 12, 2002. That day, ABC was airing regional coverage, led by Rangers-Flyers, which was Eric Lindros' return game to Philadelphia. That gives you an idea of how long it's been since we've seen NHL ratings this high.As is often the case, the local markets won the day for the network and the league. Pittsburgh drew a bonkers-for-the-regular season 19.4 rating. That's an indoor record for an NHL game on NBC in the market. The same was true for Philadelphia (7.8) and Chicago (6.6). Los Angeles, which hosted it's banner-raising, drew a 1.5 in the market. That was the best in L.A. since 2007. While that might not seem too high, remember that not only is Los Angeles a huge market, the game was a blowout fairly early on.
In case you're curious, NBC's first broadcast out of the last lockout (obviously in a full, 82-game season) drew a 1.5 overnight with regional coverage -- led by Rangers-Red Wings -- on Jan. 14, 2006.
The Flyers/Penguins and Kings/Blackhawks actual game coverage (3:30-6 p.m. ET) drew a 2.0 overnight, and peaked at an eye-popping 2.9 later on in the day. The rating was up 67 percent over the NHL on NBC's average for the 2011-12 regular season. It was also up 82 percent from last year's comparable coverage (CHI vs. DET 1/14/12: 1.1 overnight).Here are the top five local markets for NBC's coverage of the NHL yesterday:
1. Pittsburgh - 19.4/38
2. Philadelphia - 7.8/16
3. Chicago - 6.6/15
4. Buffalo - 6.6/13
5. Boston - 2.5/6
http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/1/20/3896940/nhl-tv-ratings-2013-opening-day
