Weekend ratings predictions.

Posted by | 08/23/2009 at 2:59 am


First, the results of last week’s predictions.
Source: Sports Business Daily











Sport Game/Event Net
Prediction
Final rating
Golf PGA Championship, Final Round CBS
6.4
6.6
Y.E. Yang‘s victory at the PGA Championship drew a 6.6/15 final rating on CBS, up 136% from last year.s 2.8/6, and up 6% from a 6.2/14 in ’07. The 6.6 rating is the highest for final round coverage of the PGA Championship since ’06 (7.0/16), and marks the second-highest rating of the year for a golf telecast.
NASCAR Carfax 400 ESPN
3.3
3.5
For only the second time in 2009, ratings increased for a NASCAR race. The 3.5 U.S. rating for last Sunday’s Carfax 400 was up 6% from a 3.3 last year, but still marked the second-lowest rating for a regularly-scheduled edition of the race since ’01.
Gymnastics Visa Championships NBC
2.2
1.7
Prime time coverage of the Visa Championships drew a 1.7 rating on NBC last Saturday, even with comparable coverage in ’07.
Track & Field World Track & Field Championships NBC
1.4
1.1
NBC drew a 1.1 rating for coverage of the World Track & Field Championships last Sunday, down 27% from a 1.5 for taped coverage in an earlier timeslot in ’07.

This week’s predictions:














Sport Game/Event Date/Time Net
Prediction
MLB Yankees/Red Sox or Cubs/Dodgers 4 PM Saturday FOX
2.7
For the second time in three weeks, FOX features the highest-profile matchup in Major League Baseball. FOX drew a 2.7 rating for both of its previous Yankees/Red Sox games this season; look for more of the same this week.
MLB Yankees/Red Sox 8 PM Sunday ESPN
3.2
Two weeks ago, ESPN drew a 3.0 U.S. rating for a Sunday night Yankees/Red Sox game opposite the NFL on NBC. With no such competition this week, expect even bigger numbers.
NASCAR Sharpie 500 7:30 PM Saturday ESPN
3.2
With some slight momentum after last week’s ratings increase, NASCAR heads under the lights on Saturday night. Expect another increase this week, as ratings for the Sharpie 500 should rise above last year’s Olympic-hampered 3.0.
Golf Wyndham Championship, Final Round 3 PM Sunday CBS
1.1
After big ratings for the PGA Championship, do not expect marquee numbers for this week’s Wyndham Championship. Still, final round ratings should easily surpass last year’s terrible 0.9.
Track & Field World Track & Field Championships 1 PM Sat. NBC
1.1
2 PM Sunday
1.2
Usain Bolt‘s exploits have seemingly resulted in extra attention for the World Track & Field Championships. Still, NBC’s coverage during the first week finished below comparable coverage in ’07. This weekend, expect mixed results. Comparable coverage in ’07 drew a 1.0 on Saturday and a 1.3 on Sunday.