One year after ratings hit a 57-year low, The Masters bounced back on CBS.
Final round coverage of The Masters drew an 8.7 rating and 14.0 million viewers on CBS Sunday afternoon, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — up 26% in ratings and viewership from last year (6.9, 11.1M**), but down 7% and 5%, respectively, from 2013 (9.4, 14.7M). The telecast peaked at a 10.6 and 17.7 million during the last half-hour.
Though up from last year, Sunday’s rating ranks generally in the middle of the pack in Masters history. It ranks fifth out of the past ten final round telecasts (dating back to 2006), 13th out of the past 20 (dating back to 1996), and is tied for 18th out of the past 30 (dating back to 1986).
Overall, of the 59* final round Masters telecasts that have been measured by Nielsen (dating back to 1957), the 8.7 is tied for 32nd with 1974, 1979 and 1992. That still represents a dramatic rebound from last year, when final round ratings were the fifth-lowest in Masters history.
On Saturday, third round coverage drew a 5.8 and 8.9 million on CBS — up 45% in ratings and 51% in viewership from last year (4.0, 5.9M) and flat and up 5%, respectively, compared to 2013 (5.8, 8.5M). Ratings and viewership were the highest for the third round since 2011 (6.5, 9.5M).
Despite little drama in Jordan Spieth‘s wire-to-wire victory, all four rounds of The Masters had a double-digit increase in ratings and viewership over last year — with first and third round coverage hitting or tying a multi-year high. This year marks the first time since 2010 that each round had an increase in both measures. As has been mentioned previously, both 2010 and this year had in common Tiger Woods‘ return from a lengthy hiatus.
* Excludes the inaugural year of coverage in 1956, which was not measured by Nielsen.
** CBS reported Monday that last year’s final round had a 6.9 final rating and 11.1 million viewers. Reports at the time, however, indicated that the final round had a 6.8 and 11.0 million.
(Wknd. numbers from CBS Press Express)
