NBC's Progress

Steve Burke said of the NBC broadcast network, “We’re underperforming our peers….We’re starting to make some progress, but there’s a long way to go.”

Starting to make some progress? The season average for NBC's best hope, "The Voice" just fell below "American Idol" despite its massive post-Super Bowl numbers, and "Idol"'s massive 30% decline since last season.

How do NBC's ratings for the first week of May sweeps fare when compared to the first week of last year's May sweeps?

RATINGS DIFFERENCE, YEAR-TO-YEAR The Office -50% (Carrell's farewell) The Voice -39% Dateline Sunday -36% Celebrity Apprentice -35% Parks & Recreation -30% Law & Order: SVU -29% The Biggest Loser -19% 30 Rock -16% Dateline Friday -8% The Today Show (falling into 2nd place) Community (even) NHL (up)	NEW SERIES ABOVE NBC'S 1.6 AVERAGE LAST WEEK Smash (1.8 on Monday)
source: spotted ratings

There's only one conclusion. Steve Burke is talking about hockey. HOCKEY IS NOW NBC'S BEST HOPE.