Bruins Full Season Rating Best in NESN History As 3.1 Average Household Rating Improves 41 Percent From 2009-10

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Apr 11, 2011

BOSTON — NESN, New England's most-watched sports network, set a new regular season ratings record by garnering a 3.1 average household rating — a 41 percent increase from the 2009-10 season. NESN's previous best was a 2.5 household rating in both the 2008-09 and 1995-96 seasons.

Just as impressive as the network's increase in household ratings was NESN's performance in many key demographic categories, including Adults 18-34 (2.1, up 99 percent), Adults 25-54 (2.9, up 54 percent) and Men 25-54 (4.3, up 55 percent).

Bruins Fans Watch More Than Just Games
All of NESN's Bruins-related studio programs experienced double-digit ratings gains over last season, including W.B. Mason Bruins Face-Off Live (plus-16 percent), Ace Ticket Bruins Overtime Live (plus-68 percent), The Big Bad Bruins Show with Kathryn Tappen (plus-18 percent) and The Instigators with Mike Milbury (plus-122 percent).

"Bruins fans are some of the most passionate hockey fans in the NHL, and they have shown that this season on NESN with record game ratings and significant increases in all of our NHL shows," said Sean McGrail, NESN president and CEO. "The region is really buzzing with excitement for the Bruins as the team gets ready for the playoffs."

Expanded Playoff Pregame Coverage
NESN will deliver regionally exclusive coverage of every game during the Bruins first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. Each game night will begin with W.B. Mason Bruins Face-Off Live, which will expand from 30 minutes to one hour for every first-round game. Host Kathryn Tappen will be joined by analysts Gord Kluzak and Barry Pederson, with Naoko Funayama reporting from ice level.  NESN's pregame coverage for Bruins home games will continue to originate from the network's TD Garden set location.

Bruins post-season coverage on NESN gets started early this week with special editions of The Bricks and The Instigators. NESN's Andy Brickley will host The Bricks: 2011 Postseason Special on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m. and preview the Bruins first-round matchup against long-time rival Montreal. On Wednesday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m., The Instigators with Mike Milbury will feature Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley as they discuss and debate the NHL's best in 2010-11 and make their Stanley Cup predictions.    

Bruins vs. Canadiens Conference Quarterfinals on NESN
Thursday, April 14, at Boston, 7 p.m.     
Saturday, April 16, at Boston, 7 p.m.    
Monday, April 18, at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.    
Thursday, April 21, at Montreal, 7 p.m.    
*Saturday, April 23, at Boston, 7 p.m.    
*Tuesday, April 26, at Montreal, TBD    
*Wednesday, April 27, at Boston, TBD
 *= If Necessary

About NESN
NESN is owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins and is delivered to over four million homes throughout the six-state New England region and nationally as NESN National. The definitive home for fans of New England sports, NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country. In addition to award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage, the network and its popular website, NESN.com, are dedicated to keeping fans informed and entertained with NESN Daily, a nightly sports news and information program; over 100 NESN University college sporting events annually and distinctive Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) productions.

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