The British Open attracted two of the largest audiences ever for golf on cable television.
Final round coverage of the 2013 British Open earned a 3.1 U.S. rating and 4.4 million viewers on ESPN Sunday, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — even in ratings and up 3% in viewership from last year (3.1, 4.2M), and up 35% in both measures from 2011 (2.3, 3.2M).
Sunday’s coverage ranks as the highest rated and most-viewed British Open telecast since ABC last aired the final round in 2009 (3.8, 5.5M).
Overall, the final round ranks as the third-most viewed golf telecast ever on cable television. Only the first round of The Masters in 2010 (4.9M) and the Tiger Woods/Rocco Mediate U.S. Open playoff in 2008 (4.8M) earned better numbers.
Though quite strong for cable, Sunday’s 3.1 rating is tied as the fourth-lowest for final round coverage since 1982, matching last year and 1996. Only final round coverage in 2011 (2.3), 2010 (2.1) and 1991 (2.9) earned lower numbers.
On Saturday, third round action drew a 2.7 and 3.8 million viewers — up a tick in ratings and 7% in viewership from last year (2.6, 3.5M), and up 50% and 47%, respectively, from 2011 (1.8, 2.6M).
The 2.7 rating is the highest for third round coverage of the event since 2006 (3.5), even topping the last three years of the ABC era. Overall, Saturday’s third round telecast ranks as the ninth-most viewed golf telecast ever on cable.
Friday’s second round action drew a 1.3 U.S. rating and 1.7 million viewers, down a tick in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (1.4, 1.8M). On Thursday, first round coverage earned a 1.1 and 1.4 million — flat in ratings and up 4% in viewership from last year (1.1, 1.3M).
(This year’s numbers from ESPN)
