NBC's STANLEY CUP FINAL Becomes Most-Watched Final Through Four Games

With three of the first four games needing overtime, the 2013 Stanley Cup Final is averaging 5.356 million viewers per game, making it the most-watched Final through four games on record (data available since 1994), according to The Nielsen Company.

Last night's 11-goal overtime contest (8:10-11:37 p.m. ET) between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth game of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final averaged 6.459 million viewers, making it the most-watched Stanley Cup Final Game 4 ever (since the introduction of People Meters in 1987).

Game 5 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final airs Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC from United Center in Chicago. NBC will air Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night from TD Garden in Boston. If necessary, Game 7 will air at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday night from United Center. Pre-game coverage for all games begins with NHL Live at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

Through the series' first four games, the Stanley Cup Final is averaging a 3.1 household rating and 5.356 million viewers across NBC (Games 1 & 4) and NBC Sports Network (Games 2-3), the best on record (since 1994) and up 107% (1.5) and 118% (2.460 million), respectively, vs. last year.

Last night's game -- in which the Chicago Blackhawks tied the series by defeating the Boston Bruins, 6-5, in overtime -- drew a 3.8 household rating and 6.459 million viewers on NBC, up 124% and 120%, respectively, vs. last year (LA-NJ, 1.7 rating, 2.935 million). Viewership peaked in overtime (11:15-11:30 p.m. ET) with 8.192 million viewers.

Boston received a 28.9 household rating, up 36% vs. the Bruins' Game 2 rating (the second NBC game of the series) for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final on NBC in the market (21.2). Chicago received a 22.0 household rating last night.

NBC was the No. 1 rated network overall in Boston and Chicago during the 8-11:30 p.m. ET time period. Following are the top five markets:

1. Boston (28.9)
2. Chicago (22.0)
3. Providence (20.0)
4. Buffalo (8.7)
5. Detroit (6.4)

On the strength of Bruins-Blackhawks Game 4, NBC was the night's most-watched network and tied FOX for first among Adults 18-49. Game 4 was the No. 1 program of the night.

NBC is averaging 3.428 million viewers for its coverage of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 50% vs. the same time period in 2012 (2.283 million). For the entire playoffs, including last night's game, NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC have combined to average 1.342 million viewers per game, up 15% vs. last year (1.164 million).

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