On a weekend dominated by college basketball, the PGA Tour did well for NBC.
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour Tampa Bay Championship drew a 2.4 overnight rating on NBC Sunday afternoon, up 31% from last year (1.8), up 20% from 2013 (2.0), and the top overnight ever for the event (dates back to 2003*).
The telecast averaged a 3.6 rating from 6-7 PM ET, barely trailing the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on CBS during the time period (3.9). The full telecast topped competing coverage of the Rockets/Clippers NBA game on ABC (2.2).
The ratings record marks a turnaround from the previous week, when final round overnights hit a four-year low at Doral. Four of the seven tournaments on broadcast this season have had increases in final round overnights, with Doral, the Honda Classic, and the Phoenix Open the exceptions.
On Saturday, third round action drew a 1.5 overnight — up 14% from last year and 2013 (1.3), and the highest since 2008.
* The Tampa Bay Championship began in 2000, but was not televised on broadcast until 2003.
(Wknd. numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box)
