As the Boston Bruins gear up for the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, NESN has entered the club’s top regular-season ratings into the Nielsen ledger.
Bruins’ telecasts on NESN averaged a 6.3 household rating in the Boston DMA during the lockout-shortened 2013 season, a 35% surge over the 4.7 mark for the 2011-12 season, according to Nielsen data. The Bruins were the defending Stanley Cup champions heading into the 2011-12 season, which scored a 41% increase from a 3.1 average in the DMA from the prior campaign.
The 2013 performance was fueled by the RSN’s best-ever regular season rating of a 9.4 for the Bruins’ 3-1 season-opening win over the New York Rangers on Jan. 19, and 18 of the network’s top 25 regular season ratings of all-time. NESN also set demo marks, averaging a 5.7 mark among adults 25 to 54, a 65% increase from last season; a 76% gain to a 7.6 mark with men of that age; and a 47% jump to a 3.8 with such women.
“Record Bruins ratings on NESN continue to serve as a testimonial as to the revival of hockey here in New England,” said Sean McGrail, NESN president and CEO. “The Bruins popularity continues to grow as they get ready to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning this Wednesday.”
In addition to complete first round game coverage, NESN will produce pre- and post-game shows before and after every Boston Bruins playoff game throughout the playoffs.
NESN’s coverage of the Bruins first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series faces off on May 1 at 6 p.m. with Big Bad Bruins LIVE presented by DCU, followed by WB Mason presents Bruins Face-Off LIVE at 6:30 p.. Immediately following NESN’s game coverage, the network will deliver complete post-game coverage with Ace Ticket presents Bruins Overtime LIVE.
NESN’s Bruins Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Schedule
* = If Necessary
