The 2011 U.S. Open was a dud for NBC, with some of the lowest ratings over a decade.
As reported earlier in the month, final round coverage on June 19 drew a 4.5 rating and 7.369 million viewers on NBC, down 22% in ratings and 21% in viewership from last year (5.8, 9.266), and tied as the lowest rated final round ever. (additional details available here)
The day before, third round action earned a 3.1 and 4.574 million viewers, down 16% in ratings and 19% in viewership from last year (3.7, 5.620M), and down 9% and 6%, respectively, from 2009 (3.4, 4.850M).
The telecast ranks as the lowest rated Saturday U.S. Open window since at least 1981 (ratings prior to 1982 were not available), and the least-viewed since 2006 (4.354M).
Coverage of the second round on June 17 drew a 1.4 and 1.832 million viewers, down 18% in ratings and viewership from last year (1.7, 2.236M), and down 33% and 35%, respectively, from 2009 (2.1, 2.806M).
Ratings and viewership were the lowest for the Friday U.S. Open window since at least 1997 (numbers prior to 1998 were not available).
Finally, first round coverage on June 16 drew a 1.4 and 1.825 million, down 13% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (1.6, 2.158M), but up 75% and 63%, respectively, from rain-soaked coverage in 2009 (0.8, 1.121M).
Still, the ratings and viewership ranked as the second-lowest for Thursday coverage since at least 1997 (numbers prior to 1998 were not available).
(This year’s numbers from Media Life Magazine)
