ESPN’s NFL preseason opener was the least-viewed exhibition game on the network since at least 2007. In other news, the PGA Championship got off to the best start in three years on TNT, and Sunday Night Baseball had a sub-par performance.
ESPN Opens NFL Preseason With Multi-Year Low
- Thursday’s Bengals/Falcons NFL preseason game drew 3.1 million viewers on ESPN, down 8% from Packers/Chargers opposite the Olympics last year (3.4M), and down 29% from Seahawks/Chargers in 2011 (4.4M). The Bengals’ blowout win ranks as the least-viewed NFL preseason game on ESPN since at least 2007. (Thu. numbers from The Futon Critic)
PGA Championship Opens With Three-Year High
- First round coverage of the PGA Championship drew a 1.1 overnight rating on TNT Thursday, up 83% from a 0.6 last year, when coverage faced the Olympics. According to Turner, the 1.1 overnight is the highest for first round coverage of the event since 2010 (1.3). (Turner Sports)
Mediocre Numbers For “Sunday Night Baseball”
- Last week’s Braves/Phillies “Sunday Night Baseball” game drew a 1.1 U.S. rating and 1.6 million viewers on ESPN, the fourth-least viewed Sunday night game of the season (excluding rain-delayed games). The Braves have played in three of the five least-viewed Sunday night games this season. (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
