The U.S. Open continues to trend ahead of last year’s record-low pace, but is not doing much better.
Third round coverage of the U.S. Open earned a 2.8 rating and 4.2 million viewers on FOX Saturday, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — up 22% in ratings and 31% in viewership from last year (2.3, 3.2M) but down 24% and 22%, respectively, from 2013 (3.7, 5.4M). Prior to this year, coverage aired on NBC.
This year’s U.S. Open is taking place on the West Coast, allowing for extensive primetime coverage. Compared to previous West Coast editions, Saturday’s telecast declined 44% in ratings and 45% in viewership from 2012 (5.0, 7.6M) and 24% and 25%, respectively, from 2010 (3.7, 5.6M).
The 2.8 rating is the second-lowest for Saturday coverage of the U.S. Open since at least 1981, ahead of only last year. In addition, viewership ranks as the third-lowest for Saturday coverage since the start of Nielsen people meters in 1988, ahead of only last year and 1991 (4.2M).
The primetime portion of Saturday’s telecast drew 4.8 million viewers, peaking at 5.0 million from 10-10:30 PM ET. That is an improvement over this year’s previous primetime windows, which drew 3.0 million viewers (Thursday) and 2.9 million (Friday).
Through three rounds, the U.S. Open has averaged 3.7 million viewers on FOX and 2.6 million overall — up 38% and 37%, respectively, from last year. The comparable averages in 2012 were not immediately available.
Ratings/Viewership For Third Round of U.S. Open
Dating back to 1988
| Year | Net | Rtg. | Vwrs. | Year | Net | Rtg. | Vwrs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | FOX | 2.8 | 4.20M | 2001 | NBC | 5.3 | 7.29M |
| 2014 | NBC | 2.3 | 3.15M | 2000 | NBC | 5.7 | 8.06M |
| 2013 | NBC | 3.7 | 5.36M | 1999 | NBC | 4.8 | 5.98M |
| 2012 | NBC | 5.0 | 7.58M | 1998 | NBC | 4.7 | 5.86M |
| 2011 | NBC | 3.1 | 4.57M | 1997 | NBC | 5.4 | 6.78M |
| 2010 | NBC | 3.7 | 5.62M | 1996 | NBC | 4.1 | 4.88M |
| 2009 | NBC | 3.4 | 4.85M | 1995 | NBC | 4.4 | 5.48M |
| 2008 | NBC | 4.6 | 6.65M | 1994 | ABC | 4.5 | 5.42M |
| 2007 | NBC | 4.1 | 5.73M | 1993 | ABC | 4.2 | 4.96M |
| 2006 | NBC | 3.2 | 4.35M | 1992 | ABC | 4.4 | 5.66M |
| 2005 | NBC | 4.0 | 5.40M | 1991 | ABC | 3.6 | 4.18M |
| 2004 | NBC | 4.5 | 6.10M | 1990 | ABC | 3.9 | 4.62M |
| 2003 | NBC | 4.6 | 6.18M | 1989 | ABC | 4.2 | 5.16M |
| 2002 | NBC | 6.0 | 8.23M | 1988 | ABC | 3.6 | 4.40M |
(Sat. numbers from Fox Sports)
