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Mon May 19, 2008 3:12 pm EDT

Ratings jump for conference finals on NBC

By Greg Wyshynski

OK, so it wasn't the 6.4 overnight rating Game 7 of the NBA East Conference Semifinals between the Cavaliers and Celtics drew for ABC. But Game 5 of the Pittsburgh Penguins' series against the Philadelphia Flyers snagged a 1.7 rating and a 4 share on Sunday afternoon, according to Sports Media Watch. That's 6 percent better than last year's ratings for Ducks/Red Wings on the same weekend, and it's the highest overnight rating for NBC in these playoffs.

Game 5 for the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars drew a 1.5 overnight, which is 25 percent better than last season's game in that slot -- a little misleading, considering the Ottawa Senators were in last year's Eastern Conference Finals and viewership from nord of da border doesn't factor into U.S ratings. Still, quite strong for a 3-1 series in the West.

Locally, the Pittsburgh ratings are just insane: Game 5 pulled a 26.1 rating, which pretty much means the only people who weren't watching the game were the players competing in it. Philadelphia pulled a 7.6, while Saturday's game saw a 14.1 in Detroit and a 4.0 in Dallas-Fort Worth -- 97,424 homes, according to Dallas Stars Blog.

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19 Comments

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  1. .................................................!
    1. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Pittsbugh's ratings are no surprise. They have no basketball team, the Pirates have been off the radar since '92, and of course, they have no WNBA team to siphon ratings. So a 26.1 rating in steeltown means how many homes, 100k? 200k?
  2. TO
    2. Posted by TO Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    Ah, the bitterness of the flyers fans comes out in ratings beatings as well. Remember when everyone said the Flyers would give the Pens a run for their money and then the Pens dominated the series?
  3. Ryan
    3. Posted by Ryan Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    Haha, Flyers fans can't even give the Pens fans their ratings. Sorry Philly, that series was about as close as game 5.
  4. .................................................!
    4. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Um, I hate the Flyers.
  5. kurt k
    5. Posted by kurt k Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    You don't have to live in one of the city's who have a team left in the playoffs to be a hockey fan. I happen to know that there is a huge Red Wing following in the Phoenix area (where I am). The NHL whines about not getting viewer ratings, then makes you pay to see the games. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Red Wings game on NBC Saturday. I thought for sure they would be showing NASCAR or figure skating!
    I'll probably have to pay to see the cup series, or, go to the bar (which would cost more)!
    GO WINGS!!!
  6. Dave G
    6. Posted by Dave G Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    is there a period by period breakdown of the national numbers for game 5? something tells me there's a noticeable dropoff in the middle of the second period when the tvs in philly tuned into something more interesting. i'm sure nbc would have appreciated a tighter game, or at least some physical fireworks.
  7. bubba
    7. Posted by bubba Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    bla bla bla fart!!!
  8. pete070473
    8. Posted by pete070473 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    I hate when the game is "nationally televised" on nbc because only 1 or 1.5 periods of it is shown in the canton/ cleveland area because of a meaningless indians game. this is less than 2 hours from pittsburgh.
    i pay for directv to get verses and fox sports pittsburgh to see the pens, but when nbc televises the game nationally, it's not on. the nhl needs to do something. it is a great sport, but will die if not properly promoted.
    i only got to see the pens score about 4 goals against the philadelphia floppers yesterday. this is not right. i need to see the full beat down.
  9. arsenals67
    9. Posted by arsenals67 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:33 pm EDT

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    While not 4th like Philly - the Pittsburgh Market is 22nd (we read books unlike our eastern brethren) so 100K is way off. Philly Cryers still whining about things that they know nothing about. They weren't even fan enough to watch the slaughter. Standing Only Crowd in the Arena - Thousands outside watching and Hundred's of Thousands watching from home enjoyed watching the Flyers tank one. As to not having the other Pro sports teams the Phillies aren't much better than the Pirates this year and the 76ers haven't been good in a long time (40 and 42 is not a great year).
  10. JOSEPH Z
    10. Posted by JOSEPH Z Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    i share your pain #10 i too live in the canton oh area. i wonder if we will see the last games of the finals?
  11. PC
    11. Posted by PC Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:45 pm EDT

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    WOW, you just do not see many games like that one! Facing elimination, Total domination, in every period.
    That was one hell of a message!
  12. .................................................!
    12. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Goodness gracious you Pittsburgh-ians (-ites? -ettes?) are sensitive. I am neither a Flyers fan nor a Pens fan. I'm merely trying to explain the anomaly that is high ratings in Pittsburgh. Obviously when the team is successful the Pens have great support, calm down. I'm just postulating a reason for that support.
  13. Justin S
    13. Posted by Justin S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    Pete...Ive heard a lot about the Indians games getting played over NHL games. Its complete B.S., NBC is supposed to be the "NATIONAL" channel for the NHL and it gets blacked out for a baseball game. That is what is wrong with the NHL. Also pens games would get blacked out on VS in Ohio, so stupid if its supposed to be "NATIONAL" too.
  14. Russ Cargill
    14. Posted by Russ Cargill Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

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    Why watch the series? SCORING. Defense is not exciting to watch. End to End is.
  15. Brian G
    15. Posted by Brian G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    I live in Michigan, so I might actually be able to see the Penguins in the cup.
  16. peteymac1973
    16. Posted by peteymac1973 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:08 pm EDT

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    like I said earlier... I am a directv subscriber...
    I requested permission from nbc local affiliate in cleveland through directv to get the nbc national feed... today after about 45 days... it was just Denied. I felt like the flyers trying to get a puck past fluery.
    how can hockey succeed in the US?
  17. Count Chocula
    17. Posted by Count Chocula Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    Wyshynski sucks!
  18. hockeyfan0918
    18. Posted by hockeyfan0918 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:29 pm EDT

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    www.firebettman.com
  19. northlander57
    19. Posted by northlander57 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    Is it just me, or do other people think that the NBC hockey commentators for the finals leave a LOT to be desired? I, too, have Directv and am locked into the NBC feed, although I only live within 80 miles of Canada. Wish I could get the CBC feed. At least they know a thing or two 'bout hockey. Go Don Cherry!!!

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