Versus,earned a .5 National HH rating and averaged 478,000 viewers for its triple-header night of action to open the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 14, making it the most-watched opening night of the postseason on cable since 2004. The HH rating and average viewership was up 25 percent and 22 percent, respectively, compared to VERSUS’ first night of last year’s Quarterfinals coverage (.4 HH rating and 392,000 viewers). Wednesday’s opening night telecasts were also the most-watched among Men 18-49 and Men 25-54 on cable since 2002. This record-breaking night was garnered without the advantage of the team markets as VERSUS’ Quarterfinals coverage is non-exclusive and blacked out locally.
So the numbers in Pittsburgh, San Jose, Philly, New Jersey, Detroit and Phoenix were not counted in the Versus opening night mix.
