Ratings for the last PGA telecast before the U.S. Open were the lowest in well over a decade.
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour St. Jude Classic drew a 1.4 final rating and 2.0 million viewers on CBS last Sunday, down a tick in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year (1.5, 2.2M) and the lowest rating for final round coverage since at least 1997 (ratings prior to 1998 were not available).
The multi-year low snapped a five week streak in which each PGA Tour tournament had an increase for final round coverage. This marks just the fourth time in the past 14 weeks, dating back to the Tampa Bay Championship in March, that final round ratings have declined.
It should be noted that the St. Jude Classic is not a traditionally big TV draw. This year was the 14th straight — and the 16th of the past 17 — in which final round coverage failed to hit a 2.0 rating.
Third round action last Saturday drew a 1.0 and 1.4 million, up 11% and 13%, respectively, from last year (0.9, 1.3M). Despite the increase, the 1.0 is tied as the second-lowest for third round coverage since at least 1997.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
