Game 7 between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues capped off a splendid series with thrilling hockey, and it showed in the ratings.
Here are some key facts and figures via this NBC Sports Group release:
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 26, 2016 – Monday night’s Game 7 presentation of the Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues on NBCSN averaged 1.353 million viewers to rank as the most-watched first-round game in the network’s history, as the Blues defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 to win the series and eliminate the defending Stanley Cup Champions. The game peaked at 2.0 million viewers in the final full quarter hour (11-11:15 p.m. ET). Digitally, the game finished with 11.6 million minutes streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra to rank fourth all-time among NHL games.
Locally, CSN Chicago’s presentation of Hawks-Blues Game 7 delivered a 19.1 HH rating in Chicago to rank as the most-watched telecast ever in the history of the network, dating back to 2004. Last night’s rating shattered CSN Chicago’s previous all-time high of a 13.7 HH rating for a Bulls-Pacers first-round NBA Playoff telecast (April 21, 2011).
In addition, NBC’s presentation of Game 6 of the Blackhawks-Blues series on Saturday night (8-11 p.m. ET) averaged 2.822 million viewers to rank as NBC’s most-watched first-round game in four years (BOS-WSH, 4/22/12; 3.519 million), and the fourth-best on record.
Through 13 days, the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs on cable have averaged 500,000 viewers (38 games), up 5% vs. 2015 through the same period (474,000). Digitally, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have produced 753,000 uniques and 126.4 million minutes across all Live Extra platforms, increases of 33% and 99%, respectively, vs. 2015 (566k uniques; 63k minutes).
That’s impressive all around. It’s also justifiable considering how great that series was.