Television ratings for The Masters continued to decline in Tiger Woods‘ absence.
Second round coverage of The Masters earned a 1.8 U.S. rating and 2.5 million viewers on ESPN Friday afternoon, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — down 40% in ratings and 41% in viewership from last year (3.0, 4.2M), and down 33% and 39%, respectively, from 2012 (2.7, 4.1M).
The telecast earned the lowest rating and viewership for second round coverage of The Masters since ESPN began airing the event in 2008. Though well below previous years, Friday’s coverage was a marked improvement over Thursday’s first round, which was the lowest rated Masters telecast since 2005.
ESPN’s two-day coverage of The Masters averaged a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.2 million viewers, down 36% in ratings and 37% in viewership from last year (2.5, 3.5M).
(Fri. numbers from ESPN)
