The opening game of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final on NBC -- which was a pretty good game -- received a 4.8 household rating, up 100 percent compared to Game 1 between the Kings and Devils a year ago.
It was also the best rating for a Game 1 of the Cup final since 1997, when it was on a far less handsome network.
Chicago received 25.1 rtg, +49% from Blackhawks’ Gm 1 avg 4 2010 Final on NBC in market (16.9). NBC was #1 net overall in Chicago during gm
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) June 13, 2013
Boston received a 28.1 HH rtg, +10% from Bruins’ Gm 1 avg 4 2011 Final on NBC in market (25.5). NBC was #1 net overall in Boston during gm
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) June 13, 2013
Top 5 markets for Gm 1: Boston (28.1), Chicago (25.1), Providence (18.5), Buffalo (8.5), Milwaukee (6.1)
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) June 13, 2013
For those wondering about Providence and Milwaukee, the first is a short distance from Boston, the second a short distance from Chicago.
Game 2 of the series goes Saturday (8 p.m. ET) on NBC Sports Network.