Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic set a ratings record for NFL preseason coverage Thursday. In other news, competition from the Olympics resulted in record-low ratings for the PGA Bridgestone Invitational and a mere 0.5 rating for IndyCar on ABC.
- Record Rating For Washington Preseason Opener: Thursday’s Washington/Bills NFL preseason game, featuring the debut of Washington QB Robert Griffin III, drew a 9.15 rating on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic — the highest rating for any program on the network since it launched in 2001. The previous record was held by Game 7 of the 2010 Canadiens/Capitals NHL playoff series (8.1), and the previous record for an NFL preseason game was 4.24 for Steelers/Washington last year. (Comcast)
- Record Low For Bridgestone Invitational: Final round coverage of the PGA Tour WGC-Bridgestone Invitational earned a 1.3 final rating on CBS Sunday afternoon, down 50% from last year (2.6), down 38% from 2010 (2.1), and easily the lowest rated final round of the tournament since the current format began in 1999. On Saturday, third round coverage drew a 0.9 — down 53% from last year (1.9), and down 36% from 2010 (1.4). Competition from the Olympics likely impacted the numbers. (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
- Mere 0.5 For IndyCar on ABC: Sunday’s IndyCar Series Honda Indy 200, the final IndyCar race of the season ABC, drew a mere 0.5 final rating and 626,000 viewers opposite the Olympics. The race aired on Versus (now NBC Sports Network) last season. (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
