Though not much higher than the last West Coast edition, the U.S. Open got off to its best start in over a decade.
First round coverage of the U.S. Open averaged 2.0 million viewers on FOX and Fox Sports 1 Thursday, up 54% from last year on ESPN and NBC (1.3M). Keep in mind this year’s tournament is taking place on the West Coast, allowing coverage to stretch into primetime in the East. That was not the case last year, when coverage ended by 7 PM ET.
Compared to the last West Coast U.S. Open in 2012, viewership increased a more modest 7% from 1.9 million.
Thursday’s average is the highest of the opening round of the U.S. Open in 13 years — since the 2002 tournament won by Tiger Woods (2.3M).
The FOX broadcast network earned a 1.9 final rating and 3.0 million viewers for its primetime coverage Thursday night. There was no live primetime coverage last year. Compared to 2012, ratings and viewership increased 46% and 76%, respectively, from a 1.3 and 1.7 million on ESPN. The telecast peaked with 3.5 million viewers from 10-10:30 PM ET.
Coverage on Fox Sports 1 drew 1.5 million, up 25% from ESPN last year. It could not match ESPN’s coverage in 2012, which drew 1.7 million in daytime and evening sessions.
(Thu. numbers from Fox Sports)
